17:30 Cheltenham

Thursday 15 March 2018

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

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 7m 9.00s

Pendra^b³⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 145

14/1

Useful handicap chaser on his day and making his seasonal debut when finishing runner-up under today's rider in this contest 12 months ago. Unraced since and he is an interesting contender racing off the same mark this time around.

Form: 45150/2-

Actinpieces⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 145

33/1

All seven victories have come under today's amateur rider including when victorious off a 6lb lower mark in a 3m handicap chase at Ludlow (good-to-soft) in January. Unseen since and more on her plate on this occasion.

Form: F-12841

Wild West Wind^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr N George⁽⁵⁾| T: T R George| OR: 144

25/1

Failed to complete in two outings since winning over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (heavy) in December. Ran well for a long way prior to refusing on heavy ground at Haydock last time and may surprise a few here.

Form: 113-1FR

Mall Dini^b1,t⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: P G Kelly| OR: 143| C

4/1

Successful in a valuable handicap hurdle over 3m at this meeting in 2016 and plenty to like about his efforts over fences so far. Looks to have been targeted at this contest and one for the shortlist with blinkers applied for the first time.

Form: 235-545

Double Ross⁶⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143| C

40/1

Failed to complete on two of his four starts since returning from an absence. Finished eighth in a veterans contest at Sandown (3m, heavy) last time out and others have a more obvious chance.

Form: 53-4UP8

Final Nudge⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: David Dennis| OR: 143

12/1

Just touched off in a Listed handicap over 3m1f at Wincanton (soft) in November. Placed in the Welsh National subsequently and interesting having finished a decent fifth at Sandown on soft ground last time out.

Form: 1F6-235

Tintern Theatre¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138

25/1

Disappointing in two starts since winning on soft ground over 3m at Kempton in December. Races off a 4lb higher mark today and interesting to see how he fares with a promising amateur jockey booked to ride.

Form: F4U1U0

Missed Approach^b⁴⁰

8/1

Placed on each of his last two starts, most recently when finishing 9L second over 4m1f at Musselburgh (soft) last month. Had a wind operation since and placed in the National Hunt Chase at this meeting last year.

Form: 28-P632

Sugar Baron^b⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Katie Walsh| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| BF

8/1

Finished runner-up the last twice including under an amateur rider over 3m1f here in November. Was beaten a neck at Sandown over 3m5f the following month and leading trainer has booked a top Irish amateur to ride today.

Form: 36F7-22

Squouateur^t⁴⁰

5/1

Sent off favourite and still held chances when unseating today's jockey in this race 12-months ago. Placed in a valuable Leopardstown contest since and interesting having had wind surgery since disappointing over an extended 2m last time out.

Form: P2U-630

Very First Time⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr William Easterby⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 135| BF

40/1

Bidding to complete a hat-trick but could finish only second when sent off odds-on for a heavy ground novice chase over an extended 2m5f at Kelso last time. Has run well over 3m1f in the past.

Form: 82-F112

The Young Master^p³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 135| BF| CWS

16/1

Placed in this race two years ago but well held at this meeting last year and pulled up on soft ground at Newcastle when last in action early last month. Had a wind operation since his most recent outing.

Form: F9-U63P

Aubusson²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 135| C

12/1

Finished runner-up the last twice including behind Actinpieces over 3m at Ludlow (good-to-soft) in January. Has placed at the highest level over hurdles but likely more needed if he's to register his second victory over fences.

Form: 04-3722

Marinero¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: D M Christie| OR: 134

100/1

Point-to-point winner on soft ground at Tinahely in January but beaten twice in that sphere since including when fifth at Bandon (yielding) last time out. Likely to be playing a minor role in this competitive contest.

Form: 345125

Pressurize³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

80/1

Winner of a Chepstow handicap chase over an extended 2m3f on heavy ground in January. Well held twice since and stamina to prove having pulled-up on his only previous start over 3m or more.

Form: 1/4P-1P5

Band Of Blood^b²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr James King| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 133

10/1

Returned from well over 18-months off the track in good form having won both of his starts including on good-to-soft ground at Doncaster last time out. Softer ground today should suit and he looks a lively contender.

Form: 3854/11

Arctic Gold⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

25/1

Finished runner-up on three of his five starts this season including on heavy ground at Uttoxeter at the end of December. That was followed by a heavy defeat here and he looks up against it.

Form: 722F28

Captain Buck's^p,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| BF

20/1

Running well without winning so far since switching to fences but came within a neck of rectifying that when finishing runner-up at Ludlow (good-to-soft) last time out. Likely needs to improve if he's to take this contest however.

Form: 203322

Millanisi Boy^p⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr M Legg| T: K Woollacott| OR: 126

16/1

Broke his maiden over fences when winning a handicap chase over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (heavy) in December and ran well to finish second subsequently. This looks much tougher however.

Form: 426-P12

West Wizard^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 113

50/1

Signs of a possible return to form when finishing third at Warwick (good-to-soft) last month. Pulled-up over 3m1f here in October and best form has come on a sound surface.

Form: 6P6543

Non-Runners

Braqueur D'Or⁸⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: P F Nicholls J: Mr William Biddick

Heron Heights³⁹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: H De Bromhead J: Liam Quinlan

Racing Pulse⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: T O'Connor J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mall Dini (4/1), Squouateur (5/1), Missed Approach (8/1), Sugar Baron (8/1), Band Of Blood (10/1), Final Nudge (12/1), Aubusson (12/1), Pendra (14/1), Braqueur D'Or (14/1), The Young Master (16/1), Millanisi Boy (16/1), Captain Buck's (20/1), Tintern Theatre (25/1), Heron Heights (25/1), Arctic Gold (25/1), Wild West Wind (25/1), Actinpieces (33/1), Racing Pulse (33/1), Double Ross (40/1), Very First Time (40/1), West Wizard (50/1), Pressurize (80/1), Marinero (100/1)

PENDRA finished runner-up in this race last year and racing off the same mark this time around he and big race jockey Derek O'Connor can go one better for trainer Charlie Longsdon. Mall Dini looks to have been targeted at this race for some time and he can claim second ahead of Band Of Blood who represents a shrewd stable and has a useful young amateur rider booked to ride today.