12:40 Cheltenham

Friday 17 November 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Markel Insurance Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:42 | Winning time: 6m 40.20s

Sugar Baron^p²⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr H Hunt⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

15/2

Only win in six attempts over fences came when beating the useful Present Man at Wincanton. Ran creditably on final start of last season when a close-up seventh in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and has claims on that display.

Form: 1F36F7-

Tintern Theatre²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134

10/1

No match for the high-class Finian's Oscar on debut over fences at Chepstow and fell at this track on latest start. Totally unexposed and top trainer is never afraid to pitch one of his novices into handicap company.

Form: 2501-2F

Solstice Son^b,t¹⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr William Biddick| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 133| CD

20/1

Lightly-raced and quite promising over fences. First outing since finishing second of 10 in a fair handicap chase at Uttoxeter in May, looking likely to win when clear two fences out. Has won at this track and is respected.

Form: 611/7F-2

Phil's Magic^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: A J Martin| OR: 133| D

12/1

Series of solid runs since joining current trainer, but has climbed the handicap and finds himself on a career-high mark. Runners from this stable always to be respected at this meeting so he is one to note in the betting.

Form: 443123

What A Moment²⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr R O Harding| T: D Pipe| OR: 132| CD

11/1

Last seen when pulling up in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Earlier winning form over C&D puts him in the mix and trainer likes to target this meeting.

Form: 2155PP-

Dueling Banjos^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr J J Codd| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 131

5/1

Running well of late, including when second of 16 at Exeter last time in first-time cheekpieces. Up 1lb, but should be competitive with stable in decent form.

Form: 23212-2

What Happens Now²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 130| CD

6/1

Four victories from eight starts over fences, including on latest outing over C&D when a 9L winner under this top-class amateur rider. Up 8lb, but is progressive and has to go on the short list.

Form: 111231

Mont Royale^p³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr James King| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130

50/1

Held off this sort of mark on recent starts, but usually runs his race and can be expected to be thereabouts. Not a choice for win purposes, however.

Form: 156624

Pickamix^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr R P Quinlan| T: C J Mann| OR: 130| BF

9/1

Won three of his five starts over hurdles and both chase runs have seen him finish runner-up. Has the potential to improve, but this is a tough contest in which to score his first success over fences.

Form: 321-122

Lamb Or Cod^t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Jake Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| CD

33/1

Experienced campaigner, but that did not prevent him coming a cropper over C&D last time. Holds no secrets from the handicapper and looks vulnerable.

Form: P0P4-PF

Indian Castle^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: Ian Williams| OR: 128| C| D

6/1

Ran a solid race over C&D when second to What Happens Now and is 7lb better off for a 9L beating. Should strip fitter for that reappearance run and has strong each-way claims.

Form: 4P56/2-2

Angus Milan^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr N McParlan| T: N C Kelly| OR: 127

66/1

Irish raider who is a frequent visitor to these shores and won at Kelso last December. Well beaten on his reappearance at Down Royal recently, but should be straighter for this.

Form: 51320-8

Gentleman Jon^b,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr M Legg| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124| BF| D

25/1

Fair handicap chaser who seems to reserve his best efforts for Wincanton. Likes to be up there and should give his supporters a run for their money.

Form: 452353

Regal Flow²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 124| CD

14/1

Respectable third to What Happens Now and Indian Castle over C&D last time and has prospects of turning the tables on better terms. Should be fitter, too, for that first start in six months.

Form: 94U12-3

As De Pique^t³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Ms Lisa O'Neill| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 123| D

25/1

Fell on return to action at Punchestown last month, but had run well to that point. Not getting any younger and may be vulnerable to a few of these rivals.

Form: 14368-F

Forecasts

Dueling Banjos (5/1), Indian Castle (6/1), What Happens Now (6/1), Sugar Baron (15/2), Pickamix (9/1), Tintern Theatre (10/1), What A Moment (11/1), Phil's Magic (12/1), Regal Flow (14/1), Solstice Son (20/1), Gentleman Jon (25/1), As De Pique (25/1), Lamb Or Cod (33/1), Mont Royale (50/1), Angus Milan (66/1)

Sugar Baron is young enough to carry on improving and is respected despite top weight, while Tintern Theatre's lack of chasing experience does not seem to have deterred his trainer from running him in handicap company and he is also one to note. However, the recent C&D contest in which WHAT HAPPENS NOW beat Indian Castle and Regal Flow looks a serious pointer to the outcome of this race and the selection is taken to confirm the form given the authority with which he won. Pickamix, Duelling Banjos, What A Moment, Phil's Magic and Solstice Son are all capable of bold shows in a wide-open contest.