14:50 Cheltenham
Tuesday 14 March 2017
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 1f | Good to Soft | 23 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 20.10s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Successfully mixed hurdling and chasing in recent year's scoring at the highest level over hurdles in France in June 2015 and taking this off a 7lb lower mark in 2016. Has been running well enough without troubling the judge in recent starts over hurdles, finishing behind leading stayer Unowhwatimeanharry the last twice and now rated 3lb lower than when well beaten in the Hennessy in November.
Winner of a valuable event over an extended 3m at Leopardstown last time out in December. Had finished fourth in a similar affair at Navan the time before that and looks set to go well here off a 10lb higher mark. Contested the National Hunt Chase at this meeting last year (fell two out).
Winner over 3m2f here in a Grade 3 contest back in December. Didn't seem to stay the trip when well held behind a stablemate when contesting the Welsh National later that month but bounced back to form when a 3L third in another Grade 3 handicap at Kempton last month and looks like an interesting contender in this.
Winner of a chase at Clonmel in February and respectable run next time out when second of four behind Ballycasey in a Grade 2 contest over 2m4f at Gowran Park. Well held dropped half a mile in trip at Naas eight days later however and well beaten on his two previous attempts at 3m or further.
Winner of a handicap chase here back in November on his first outing for this yard but well beaten over the big fences at Aintree next time out and pulled-up in the Welsh National when last seen in action. Has a bit to prove at present.
Winner of three valuable handicap chases here including off this mark in January 2016. Has been out of form since and well beaten at Kempton in a race in which Theatre Guide finished third last month. Has stamina to prove here but clearly enjoys this track.
Winner of a 3m5f Grade 3 handicap event at Sandown on his final start of last season and behind when falling two from home on his return to action at Aintree in December. Well beaten here over hurdles at a big price in January and likely has the Grand National as his main aim for this season.
Progressive youngster who contested the conditional jockey's event here in 2016. Victorious on his last two outings over fences including in a handicap off a 7lb lower mark at Exeter last month. Steps up in grade but an interesting contender for a yard with an 18% strike rate (3/17) recently.
Winner twice at this meeting in the past, including in this contest in 2014. Well beaten in all four outings this season including at Doncaster in a Listed handicap chase at the end of January. Often comes good at this time of year however and chase mark now just 3lb higher than for that 2014 success.
Well beaten in the Galway Plate back in July and a similar story on his next outing at Chepstow in October. Step up to 3m brought about an improved performance when finishing runner-up later that month and races off a mark just 1lb higher here. Interesting contender after a mid-season break.
Winner of this in 2015 and races off the same mark this year. Ran a solid race behind today's rival The Young Master when finishing fifth at Sandown last April. Well held on his return to action at Ascot in December but sliding down the weights here and likely to run well if returning to the form of his Doncaster second.
Made the frame in each of his last three outings including when finishing a respectable third to the top class Thistlecrack at Newbury in November. Tackled handicaps the last twice and third over 2m5f here in January when finishing behind a Grade 1 winning novice. That was a decent effort and he has to be respected upped to 3m here.
Finished well behind The Young Master on his final start for previous yard at Sandown in April 2016. Pulled up in the Thyestes on his return to action and debut for this yard at Gowran Park in January and any rain would likely aid his chance in this.
Should probably have won more races than he has and regularly catches the eye, finishing well in competitive handicaps at this track. Pulled-up here in January and well beaten at Exeter subsequently; while he has placed off higher marks in the past he looks a risky proposition for win purposes.
Winner over C&D back in October 2016 but disappointed in two of his three outings since. Finished 13L second at Newbury in December on his penultimate outing but well held at Doncaster subsequently and needs to put that poor effort behind him in this.
Winner over hurdles back in November but well held in three outings back over fences since, including when beaten 25L into fifth at Doncaster on his most recent outing. Held by a few of his rivals on that form but placed off higher marks in the past and chances if repeating those efforts.
Finished a modest second behind a useful rival in a conditions event at Exeter last time out and well held in a hurdle here in January prior to that. Had issues with his jumping this season and will need to brush up in that department if he is to be competitive in this.
Point-to-point winner who has put in some good efforts over fences this season including when winning here in December. Held up but making progress prior to being brought down here on his most recent outing over 2m5f in January. Likely to play a leading role in this.
Winner of a handicap chase at Kempton over 3m last time out. Has been in good form this season having also taken a 2m4f event at Sandown in first time hood and cheekpieces in December. Likely to find life tougher off an 8lb higher mark here and this stiffer test of stamina not certain to suit.
Finished runner-up the last twice though beaten 30L on most recent outing at Ascot last month. Second at Kempton in December off 1lb lower mark was also a decent effort and while he races here off a 15lb higher mark than for his most recent success he looks capable of running well once more.
Yet to win this season but finished third off a 5lb higher mark at Chepstow back in October. Fourth to Theatre Guide here on his penultimate outing was another solid effort and while he disappointed here last time out, he can be forgiven that run with his best efforts coming when racing from off the pace.
Had come under pressure prior to falling three from home at Haydock on his penultimate outing in a Grade 2 handicap in January. Has since finished a decent third at the same venue track and may surprise a few better fancied rivals off a light weight here.
Winner of a handicap chase at Leicester back in March 2016 but had just the two outings since, finishing runner-up on each occasion. Firstly over 2m4f at Wincanton last month and most recently when beaten 20L over the same trip at Newbury ten days ago. Interesting off a light weight for a yard that have enjoyed handicap success here in the past.
Non-Runners
21
Antony38
Weight: 10-5| Age: 7
T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore
NR
Forecasts
Singlefarmpayment (5/1), Noble Endeavor (15/2), Un Temps Pour Tout (9/1), The Druids Nephew (10/1), Holywell (10/1), Ibis Du Rheu (12/1), A Good Skin (14/1), Henri Parry Morgan (14/1), Label Des Obeaux (16/1), Go Conquer (20/1), Caid Du Berlais (20/1), Vintage Clouds (20/1), The Young Master (25/1), Measureofmydreams (25/1), Pilgrims Bay (25/1), Antony (25/1), Vic De Touzaine (25/1), Buywise (33/1), Theatre Guide (33/1), Viconte Du Noyer (33/1), Junction Fourteen (40/1), Clarcam (50/1), Coologue (50/1), Annacotty (66/1)
NOBLE ENDEAVOR was successful in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown last time out. The selection fell in the National Hunt Chase here in 2016 but has run well in competitive handicaps the last twice and represents a top yard here. Un Temps Pour Tout and Holywell filled the first two placings in last years renewal of this contest and while the last named hasn't set the world alight this season he generally performers better in the Spring and can run well again here (also took this in 2014) while others to note include the 2015 winner The Druid's Nephew and the unexposed novice Singlefarmpayment who was successful here earlier this season.
- Noble Endeavor
- Holywell
- Singlefarmpayment
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £59,798.002nd: £22,438.003rd: £11,235.004th: £5,596.005th: £2,814.006th: £1,407.00
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