16:50 Cheltenham

Tuesday 14 March 2017

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 8m 22.30s

A Genie In Abottle⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J J Codd| T: N Meade| OR: 142

4/1

Beaten ¾L when finishing runner-up in a Grade 3 contest at Naas last time out. Previously a winner over 3m at Fairyhouse this season and looks likely to appreciate this trip with a top jockey (won this in 2015) booked to ride here.

Form: 632125

Arbre De Vie⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Katie Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

14/1

Finished runner-up to all the way winner Acapella Bourgeois when contesting a 2m4f beginners event at Navan in January, winner has since franked that form in no uncertain terms. Also placed at Fairyhouse this season and seeking a first chasing success having finished runner-up on all three outings so far.

Form: 022UB2-

Arpege D'alene^b,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr William Biddick| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

12/1

Stayed on well when runner-up behind a useful rival here in December and a similar excellent run in a handicap here back in January. Disappointed at Ascot in Grade 2 company on his most recent start but likely to appreciate this step up in trip and has a top amateur in the saddle here.

Form: 129-512

Ballycross⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Hugh Nugent| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133

100/1

Yet to win in five outings over fences but has put in a couple of solid efforts in handicap company. Most notable of these came three starts back when a 2L fourth at Chepstow. Disappointed in a Grade 3 contest over 3m5f last time out for a yard who won this back in 2009.

Form: 5210-23

Bells 'n' Banjos⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss A Stirling| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134

80/1

Winner of both starts over fences since transferring to current stable. Latest of those came on soft ground over an extended 2m6f at Leicester last month. Up in trip and class here and interesting to see how he fares.

Form: 2/1040-0

Beware The Bear⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148

9/2

Winner of his last four outings including both chase starts. Latest of those came at Newbury in December and he looks likely to have the ground to suit here. Interesting contender for a leading stable with 2009's winning rider booked for the mount.

Form: 31-1117

Bigbadjohn²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 144

14/1

Finished an 8L runner-up to Thistlecrack at Newbury in November and struggling prior to slipping up at Doncaster next time out. Put that disappointment behind him with a battling success at Ascot in Grade 2 company over 3m last time out. Has a good Irish amateur booked for this step up in distance.

Form: 1021-P3

Champers On Ice^p,t1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr R P Quinlan| T: D Pipe| OR: 143

7/1

Winner of a three-runner novice chase at Uttoxeter in December and run respectably twice since including when sixth over 2m5f here last time out. Finished third to Unowhatimeanharry in the Albert Bartlett here over hurdles last season when wearing cheekpieces (left off since) but they return with a tongue tie also added here.

Form: 121133-

Dancing Shadow^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Houlihan| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 139

50/1

Had ten starts over fences and a confirmed stayer having won over 4m1f at Musselburgh last time out. Was following up a Doncaster victory over 3m2f on that occasion though may lack the class of a few of his rivals in this field.

Form: 362411

Edwulf^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 152

5/1

Winner of two of his last three chase outings including in a valuable novice handicap over 2m4f at Navan last time out. Fell under today's jockey when contesting a Grade 2 contest over 3m at the same venue the time before but looks to have a strong chance for leading connections with a top jockey (successful in this twice before) booked to ride.

Form: 1F-3U21

Flintham^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr M Legg| T: M Bradstock| OR: 139

33/1

Finished runner-up behind today's rival Bigbadjohn when a short-head second at Ascot in a Grade 2 on soft ground over 3m last time out. Still a maiden over fences but looks likely to stay this trip and is a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Coneygree.

Form: 1P/P010-

Haymount²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

33/1

Finished well behind runaway winner Acapella Bourgeois when third in a Grade 2 novice chase at Navan last month. Best chasing effort so far came when runner-up to stablemate Bellshill at Limerick in November. Interesting contender for a top Irish yard who took this in 2013.

Form: 2314-51

Kerrow⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Joshua Newman| T: A King| OR: 135

33/1

Winner of a 2m7f chase at Taunton on good ground in December. Finished runner-up in a four runner event at Doncaster subsequently and represents a yard in form with a 22 per-cent strike rate (4/18) recently.

Form: 4U2-F16

Martello Tower^b1⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr S Clements| T: Ms M Mullins| OR: 143

11/1

Winner of the Albert Bartlett here in 2015 and successful in a beginners event at Fairyhouse in December. Well beaten upped to Grade 1 company subsequently. First time cheekpieces seemingly failed to work at Naas subsequently and they are replaced with blinkers here.

Form: 1/337-21

Missed Approach^p1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr N McParlan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 145

50/1

Winner on heavy ground at Lingfield earlier this season but disappointed at Wetherby when favourite for a Grade 2 contest subsequently. Unseated his rider at the first fence on most recent outing and a bit to prove in first time cheekpieces here.

Form: 2-413U2

Tiger Roll^b,t¹³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ms Lisa O'Neill| T: G Elliott| OR: 145

16/1

Winner of the Munster National over 3m at Limerick in October. Had just two outings since then with the latest coming when finishing third in a Listed chase at Wexford in October. Represents a leading trainer (won this in 2009) with a decent amateur jockey booked to ride.

Form: 221331

What A Moment^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr R O Harding| T: D Pipe| OR: 132

100/1

Winner over 3m1f here in November and followed that up with a close fifth at Chepstow the following month. Well beaten the last twice however including in first time cheekpieces (retained here) last time out. Return to better ground should suit and has a leading amateur booked (won this in 2006).

Form: 48-2215

Calett Mad^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 145

33/1

Youngest horse in the field and had just seven career starts. Four of those have come over fences including when successful at Taunton on his penultimate outing. Since finished a 22L second in a Grade 2 contest at Wetherby and is a second runner for trainer also saddling Ballycross in this..

Form: 343-1

Forecasts

A Genie In Abottle (4/1), Beware The Bear (9/2), Edwulf (5/1), Champers On Ice (7/1), Martello Tower (11/1), Arpege D'alene (12/1), Arbre De Vie (14/1), Bigbadjohn (14/1), Tiger Roll (16/1), Haymount (33/1), Kerrow (33/1), Calett Mad (33/1), Flintham (33/1), Missed Approach (50/1), Dancing Shadow (50/1), Bells 'n' Banjos (80/1), Ballycross (100/1), What A Moment (100/1)

TIGER ROLL can cause a shock by taking this competitive contest for his leading Irish trainer. The selection ran out the winner of a competitive handicap at Limerick in September and having gained experience of this course when finishing third here in October he can provide further success for his trainer and jockey who teamed up to land a valuable contest at Listowel in September. Of the other runners Edwulf was successful in a competitive event at Naas last time out and has a leading jockey in the saddle while fellow Irish raider A Genie In Abottle finished second to a useful rival at the same track in January. Best of the British horses looks likely to be between the progressive Beware The Bear and Champers On Ice with preference for the former as he goes in search of a hat-trick.