16:55 Cheltenham

Thursday 20 April 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:5517:30

Nicholson Holman Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 6m 44.80s

Mr Shantu^p,t²³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

11/1

On his hurdles form he's quite nicely weighted here and the yard have come back to form of late. Responded well to pressure to win on chase debut in novice company before disappointing in handicap chase when last seen.

Form: 423415

Swincombe Scorchio^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: P Gundry| OR: 128

4/1

The handicapper clearly didn't appreciate his last win at Chepstow raising him 15lb but he could still take a hand in this of an increased mark. That represented some really improved form and he's one for the shortlist here.

Form: 2/54214-

Ten Sixty^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127

3/1

His record over fences has a rather undulating look to it although he did show his best side when winning last time out at Newbury. His jumping still has to hold up and he is 6lb higher here so there are still some questions to answer.

Form: 53320-1

Bells Of Ailsworth^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

7/1

Both chase wins have come at Taunton and he clearly appreciates a test of stamina. Fencing isn't that fluent though and these fences may well find him out especially off this mark.

Form: 2P-2191

Goohar^p⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Jake Greenall| T: H D Daly| OR: 122

25/1

Took an age to get off the mark over fences and has never looked the easiest ride over fences and has shown signs of temperament. Did run a fair race last time out at Cheltenham although this yard are rather quiet at the moment.

Form: 6U2153-

Fact Of The Matter^h,t¹⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 121

9/2

Has plenty of entries and the yard look as though they may well have her in off a good mark here returning from a break (has gone well fresh before). Jumps well and goes with zest and interesting off a light weight here.

Form: 4/12131-

Better Days¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113

7/1

All his best form has come decent ground and he should appreciate underfoot conditions here having been in good form of late. Raised another 4lb for his Wincanton win but should remain competitive off this mark.

Form: 551412-

Get Involved^b,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 110

15/2

His mark is falling and he looked to be coming back to some sort of form last time out when ridden very aggressively at Chepstow. Not the most reliable though and his jumping can be very hit-and-miss.

Form: P6352U

Non-Runners

Boa Island¹²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: P F Nicholls J: Jack Sherwood

Father Edward¹³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: D Pipe J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Ten Sixty (3/1), Swincombe Scorchio (4/1), Fact Of The Matter (9/2), Boa Island (9/2), Better Days (7/1), Bells Of Ailsworth (7/1), Get Involved (15/2), Mr Shantu (11/1), Father Edward (20/1), Goohar (25/1)

A few of these are going to have their questionable jumping tested here and this will be a test for Ten Sixty, Bells Of Ainsworth and Get Involved. Boa Island did beat Get Involved last time out and has to be respected but the interesting duo are Fact Of the Matter and SWINCOMBE SCRCHIO. The latter of that duo scored impressively last time out and despite the rising mark he looks capable of adding to his last time out win.