14:25 Cheltenham

Saturday 17 November 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 4m 56.1s

Frodon^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 161| C| D

14/1

Prolific novice in 2016/17 winning six times. Won just once last term but that over 2m4f here (heavy) . Started this campaign with success at Aintree over 2m4f on good ground so conditions should suit. 3lb higher in tougher race but not ruled out.

Form: 21350-1

Mister Whitaker¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon| OR: 152| CD

5/1

Enjoyed a fine novice campaign winning three times culminating in festival success over C&D where he narrowly defeated Rather Be. Impressive return at Carlisle latest and despite being worse off now with rival he remains on the up.

Form: 31211-1

Javert²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 150| D

20/1

Missed all of 2017 so did really well to win on his return to action at Uttoxeter before rallying to finish second behind Frodon at Aintree. 2lb better off for 1¼L defeat but rival may strip fitter so reversal less than likely. Handles all ground.

Form: U1U1/12

Benatar³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 149| BF| D

12/1

Won first three chases culminating in an Ascot Grade Two over 2m5f . Third behind top class duo in Festival Grade One next over C&D but too keen on recent return and made errors. Reappearance effort aside he has strong form so must be considered.

Form: 4/1113-4

Rather Be²⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 149| D

9/2

Won two of first three over fences (unseated in the other) before chasing home Mister Whitaker at the festival where he was only beaten a head. 9lb better off with that rival this time so ought to reverse placings and handles all ground it seems.

Form: 18/1U12-

Kalondra^t¹⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 148| C| D

7/1

Won twice last season including here and again showed liking for the course when a close third to Traffic Fluide who recently boosted the form. Closing third when falling two out at Galway in the summer and arrives here off very handy mark.

Form: 12143-F

Baron Alco³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 146| BF| D

8/1

Useful novice in 2016/17 where he was second in a Sandown Grade One and at the festival. Missed all of last season but made excellent return when second at Carlisle leading until 100 yards out. Fitter now and realistic possibilities here.

Form: 12122/2

Shantou Village^p,t1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 143| BF| CD

25/1

C&D winner over fences and hurdles kept busy this summer winning at Worcester over 2m7f penultimately before a respectable fifth in Kerry National. Lesser effort here latest however over 3m1f and others have more handicap potential.

Form: 843156

West Approach^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 142

14/1

Won twice last season but then twice outclassed in Grade Ones before pulling up in 4m Scottish National. Good third on return when possibly not quite lasting 3m1f here and more realistic claims over this trip.

Form: 1356P-3

Splash of Ginge⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 141| CD

33/1

25/1 winner of this race last year and again showed liking for this track when second at the festival. Only midfield on return but that was the case coming into this last year so merits respect although faster ground and 7lb higher this time around.

Form: 17P82-5

Happy Diva^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 140| D

20/1

Won three small field novice chases last year and placed in other four starts. Continued her record of never being out the first three over fences when second to Mister Whitaker on return at Carlisle. Each-way possibilities but big field a doubt.

Form: 21121-2

Movewiththetimes¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| BF

12/1

Yet to win over fences although ran some decent races here last season including third to Kalondra before pulling up at the festival. Unseated rider on return but suspicion he is well handicapped although this tough ask to win first chase.

Form: 2/423P-U

King's Socks^t1²¹⁹

10/1

Pipe team have a remarkable record in this race with father and son winning it nine times between them. Not beaten far at the festival last year before disappointing at Aintree but was high class over hurdles in France and is highly respected here.

Form: 152/35P-

Romain De Senam^h,t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| BF

20/1

Beaten 12½L into fifth in this race a year ago and couldn't improve on that in three subsequent races. Well beaten fourth and remote third so far this term but now 2lb below last winning mark. Not ruled out but a risky proposition at present.

Form: 5507-43

Ballyandy³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137| BF| C| D

16/1

2016 festival bumper winner not appeared a natural over fences so far winning just once and that in workmanlike fashion. Pulled-up at the festival and only third of five on return at Wetherby. Others make more appeal.

Form: 14/14P-3

Geordie Des Champs¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: N P Madden| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 137| D

33/1

Won four runner races at Hereford and Taunton last season before coming unstuck at Sandown. Midfield in valuable summer contest before recently being well beaten at Ascot. Faces an uphill task on all known form.

Form: 4113-57

Guitar Pete¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 137| C| D

25/1

Midfield in this last year but then won valuable Caspian Caviar Gold Cup here next. Couldn't build on that however although not disgraced. Second recently but that after a flat run so may not come on for it as much as is required.

Form: 91U68-2

Willie Boy³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: R P McLernon| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 136| D

33/1

Looked one to follow when winning in determined fashion at Newbury to start last season but couldn't build on that in next two starts. Recent second at Wetherby on stable debut a step in the right direction and one of the more live outsiders.

Form: F1/16F-2

Eamon An Cnoic^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 135| D

33/1

Dual winner last season but came unstuck subsequently at Cheltenham and Aintree festivals and similar struggle on return back at Aintree. Best form on heavy ground and looks stable second string here.

Form: 1319P-8

Whoshotwho¹¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 134

33/1

Second on chase debut followed by 2m5½f win at Market Rasen and dead-heated there next in a successful summer campaign. Ground looks in his favour here but sizable hike in class and likely to struggle now.

Form: 22-3211

Black Scorpion³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Reserve 1| T: E McNamara| OR: 132| BF| D

25/1

Made a solid start for these connections with a win at Listowel sandwiched in between two placed efforts. 3lb out of the handicap here so task gets tougher if he gets a run. Reserve.

Form: 314-213

Forecasts

Rather Be (9/2), Mister Whitaker (5/1), Kalondra (7/1), Baron Alco (8/1), King's Socks (10/1), Movewiththetimes (12/1), Benatar (12/1), Frodon (14/1), West Approach (14/1), Ballyandy (16/1), Javert (20/1), Happy Diva (20/1), Romain De Senam (20/1), Guitar Pete (25/1), Shantou Village (25/1), Black Scorpion (25/1), Eamon An Cnoic (33/1), Geordie Des Champs (33/1), Willie Boy (33/1), Whoshotwho (33/1), Splash of Ginge (33/1)

Gary Moore has two live contenders here with BARON ALCO particularly appealing. He chased home subsequent dual Grade One winner Road To Respect at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival and after missing all of last season made a most encouraging return at Chepstow. He should strip fitter now and could be very well handicapped. Rather Be should reverse 2018 festival placings with Mister Whitaker now with a 9lb pull in his favour although the impression is that the latter remains on the up so both are live contenders.