Betfair Cheltenham Preview Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 5.2s

Final Nudge^p¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: David Dennis| OR: 135

5/1

2m 5f Hereford scorer last time on heavy ground and what were then first-time cheek pieces are retained today. Up 6lb for that win but likely to get the testing conditions in which he thrives and a follow-up success would be no surprise for this consistent gelding.

Form: 2531-13

Vieux Lille⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133

3/1

Very useful bumper and novices' hurdle winner who has yet to add to his tally in three chases. Nonetheless, he caught a tartar in Yala Enki and Haydock last time and races from the same mark today, which entitles him to be very competitive with conditions very likely to suit.

Form: 1361-43

Lessons In Milan^p1⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

3/1

Won a staying handicap hurdle at Sandown on good to soft off a mark of 126, though 0-5 over fences thus far. Has run well in some of those defeats, although comfortably beaten off just 1lb higher the last twice and cheek pieces need to have a fairly significant impact if he is to return to pole position.

Form: 11/23U-3

Vinnie Red⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130

2/1

Up 7lb for an impressive win over an extended 2m 5f at Market Rasen on Boxing Day (good to soft) and now stepped up to this trip for the first time. Pedigree suggests that this far is within his capabilities and looks to be a leading player.

Form: 31352/3

Mustmeetalady³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129

10/1

3lb higher than when winning a soft ground handicap hurdle (3m 2f, Warwick) last April, though the handicapper has been in control in his last two starts in this sphere over fences. A further 2lb drop will help and he might be able to claim some prize money.

Form: 243541-

Boa Island^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

25/1

Landed back-to-back handicaps over 2m 4f on sound/fast surfaces at Wincanton in the autumn before falling when going well as favourite next time. Another good effort at Chepstow followed, though he was clearly out of sorts at Taunton last time. More attractive again here after a short break and with a 1lb drop to help and likely to go close.

Form: 1F3661

Non-Runners

Kris Spin³⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 9

T: Kerry Lee J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Vinnie Red (2/1), Lessons In Milan (3/1), Vieux Lille (3/1), Final Nudge (5/1), Kris Spin (8/1), Mustmeetalady (10/1), Boa Island (25/1)

Boa Island ran a bit flat at Taunton last time, but if he can revert to his previous form then he would be entitled to go close here, while Final Nudge and Vieux Lille are other dangers to the selection VINNIE RED, who is unexposed as a debutant over this trip but won well last time at Market Rasen, where he looked as though more improvement would follow over further. 1. Vinnie Red 2. Final Nudge 3. Boa Island