13:55 Cheltenham

Friday 15 December 2017

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:57 | Winning time: 5m 24.20s

Song Saa^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 126| BF

6/1

Very consistent sort but handicapper seemingly caught up with her a little now. Despite being versatile from a ground perspective, her sole effort here at this meeting two years ago was a little disappointing and may be best watched this time.

Form: 1133-22

Theatre Territory²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 125

6/1

Jumping was a little sketchy on first run over fences at Huntingdon last time out but bred to be a chaser and likely to have learnt plenty from that. First start for new yard and entirely unexposed in this sphere so look capable of running well.

Form: 3F467-2

Sparkling River²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 124| D

13/2

Improved for her first start over fences when winning at Warwick last time and 4lb rise certainly looks fair. Should carry on improving over the larger obstacles and will be hard to peg back if given an uncontested lead.

Form: 1241-71

Timeforwest⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

9/2

Was improving for this yard over hurdles and came on for a reappearance debut over fences when fifth of 16 at Exeter last time. Has been given a short break and will be thereabouts if she can cope with this drop back in trip.

Form: 1116-65

Ms Parfois^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N D Fehily| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 123| D

9/2

Not disgraced in a Grade 2 over hurdles at Sandown and followed that with an easy success at Fontwell at the end of last season. Didn't show much on first start over fences last month but should come on for that and drop back in trip should help.

Form: 43131-3

Twenty Eight Guns^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 122

6/1

Has won three of her nine starts over fences but has been below form on her two starts this season and she's still above her last winning mark. A return to softer ground may see her do better but others preferred.

Form: 1473-P4

Sheer Poetry^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: R Woollacott| OR: 119| D

12/1

Hold up performer who beat Song Saa by 17L when last seen over fences. Produced a good third over hurdles here last time and while she's taken a hefty hike in the weights, she can't be ruled out with the yard in excellent form.

Form: 027313

Viking Mistress^p,t⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: R Johnson| T: M Keighley| OR: 104| BF

12/1

Has been running well in her latter efforts over fences but step up in class seemed to find her out a little last time and this doesn't look any easier, despite a 3lb drop in the weights.

Form: 112624

Tara Mac³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss Jodie Hughes⁽⁷⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 97

25/1

Has won two of her last five chase starts but plenty of work to do from out of the handicap here and this is by far her toughest test. Likely to struggle.

Form: 41F5-12

Forecasts

Ms Parfois (9/2), Timeforwest (9/2), Theatre Territory (6/1), Song Saa (6/1), Twenty Eight Guns (6/1), Sparkling River (13/2), Viking Mistress (12/1), Sheer Poetry (12/1), Tara Mac (25/1)

THEATRE TERRITORY could be a smart chaser in the making and is likely to take a big step forward from chase debut last time. Her jockey, Sam Waley Cohen is well worth the 3lb he takes off in the saddle and it would be no surprise if he can get a tune out of her around here. There was plenty to like about Sheer Poetry's win over Song Saa two starts back and while she's not been missed by the handicapper, her hurdles effort here last time was encouraging enough. Sparkling River shouldn't be ruled out, particularly if she can get an easy lead and a 4lb rise for her latest win looks fair.