13:30 Cheltenham

Thursday 15 March 2018

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

JLT Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (registered As The Golden Miller)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 11.30s

Benatar⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 148| D

10/1

Not as strong as Finian's Oscar over hurdles, but narrowly edged out that rival when scoring by a short-head at Ascot in December (2m5f). Unbeaten in three starts over fences; but best efforts going right-handed and also slight concerns ground wise.

Form: 424-111

Bigmartre⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 145| BF

20/1

Versatile in terms of ground conditions, and his UK career record over fences reads 1,1,2 with that defeat being by just a short-head to Duke of Navan at Doncaster in January (2m). Stamina reserves slightly unproven in this grade of race.

Form: 860-112

Finian's Oscar^p1,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 155| BF| CDWS

11/2

Kicked off the season in style over fences at Chepstow and Cheltenham (2m4f), but the road hasn't been the smoothest since, and a tilt at the Stayers Hurdle has been shelved (breathing issues-soft palate). Contender if back fighting fit.

Form: 2-1132P

Invitation Only³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

9/2

Prominent racer who has brushed up his fencing since falling on debut at Punchestown in November and is a two-time 2m4f winner. Ground fine, and beaten just under 1L when third to Monalee in the Grade 1 Flogas at Leopardstown (2m5f) latest.

Form: 36-F113

Kemboy⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145

15/2

Beaten just over 9L in the 2017 Neptune when finishing fifth to Willoughby Court. Low-key over fences so far, but a winner at Fairyhouse (2m5f+) in January when surviving a final fence blunder to beat stablemate C'est Jersey by 6L.

Form: 1257-21

Modus³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| BF| C| D

12/1

Classy hurdler who bounced back from a lesser effort at Exeter (likely beaten when falling), with a straightforward success in a muddling small field affair at Kempton (2m4f+). Now has three from four wins over fences, but faces a tougher test here.

Form: 65-11F1

West Approach^b1⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 148

33/1

Rated 157 over timber but pulled-up in the 2017 Stayers Hurdle. Chasing form not quite as strong and while lesser grade success proves he handles testing ground, he'll struggle to reverse form with Terrefort from Sandown. Wears first-time blinkers.

Form: P-13135

Terrefort⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

3/1

French import (ex G.Macaire) with plenty of experience of testing conditions. Unbeaten in two starts for this trainer, most notably when gamely edging out Cyrname by a neck in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown (2m4f) last month.

Form: 131311

Shattered Love^t⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

4/1

A mare who has blossomed over fences, beaten just the once in five starts so far (by stablemate Jury Duty). Gained her revenge on that rival in a 3m Grade 1 event at Leopardstown in December, and this prominent racer arrives as a fresh horse.

Form: 7-11211

Non-Runners

Snow Falcon³⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: N Meade J: Sean Flanagan

Forecasts

Terrefort (3/1), Shattered Love (4/1), Invitation Only (9/2), Finian's Oscar (11/2), Kemboy (15/2), Benatar (10/1), Modus (12/1), Snow Falcon (14/1), Bigmartre (20/1), West Approach (33/1)

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have took this Grade 1 contest in each of the past three years, so it's to be expected that Invitation Only will head the market. His form stands up to scrutiny, and he should have the measure of Snow Falcon on the Flogas evidence (Leopardstown). However, he's unlikely have it all his own way up front, with the blossoming mare Shattered Love and the returning; hopefully clean winded Finian's Oscar also representing potential pace angles. Scilly Isles Novices' Chase winner TERREFORT is another likely to be prominent; he's unbeaten in two starts for Nicky Henderson and the selection has the profile of a rapidly improving horse.