13:55 Cheltenham

Friday 14 December 2018

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

CF Roberts Electrical & Mechanical Services Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:56 | Winning time: 5m 9.90s

Synopsis^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 127

13/2

Former flat racer won on chasing debut back in March (heavy) and ran well the next twice also. Not really found top form in two starts this term but slightly better in more recent of them over hurdles and remains unexposed over fences.

Form: 0123-69

The Bay Birch¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 125

6/1

Won four of her seven starts last term when switched to this yard including three over fences. 2m and 3m trips first twice this term both not suiting but better latest when third over 2m6½f. This trip should also suit so has each-way possibilities.

Form: 12-1603

Miss Night Owl³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 123

16/1

Useful bumper/hurdler has yet to fire in three chase starts although placing in all of those small field contests. Steps up in trip now and hopefully fare a little better if she stays but hard to be confident.

Form: 174-323

River Icon³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 122

14/1

Too keen and tired after a bad mistake three out over 3m at Hexham latest but promise in lone earlier chase when second over 2m4f at the same venue. This trip ought to therefore suit better and has each-way possibilities now.

Form: 16-4324

Midnight Target^h,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 121| CD

11/2

Dual winner last season was second on her recent return at Kempton albeit beaten 22L (2m4½f). Unlikely to bump into such a rival here and handicap mark appears fair at present so with fitness boosted her chances are genuine.

Form: 22141-2

Black Tulip²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 119| D

6/1

Third on chase/season debut at Worcester and improved on that latest at Warwick when second to a useful sort who is three from three this season. Jumping can still improve and chances probably hinge on this as her form looks pretty solid.

Form: 1083-32

Skewiff³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: Evan Williams| OR: 115

5/1

Came in for some support at big prices on recent chase debut at Exeter but could only finish midfield with a couple of errors making her task more difficult. Good bit to find on that form but obviously open to improvement.

Form: 1-42536

Inch Lala⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Evan Williams| OR: 107

15/2

Won a small contest at Sedgefield latest although didn't look much strength in depth in the race. 7lb penalty for that leaves her 1lb well in here so obviously has chances although quicker ground here a relative unknown.

Form: 035P-31

Silent Steps^b,t¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 106

11/1

Neither Nicky Henderson or Paul Nicholls could find the key to this mare but she got off the mark for this stable at the third time of asking latest when an emphatic 23L winner at Southwell. Much tougher here but chance under the penalty.

Form: 47-3351

Troubled Soul³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 109

12/1

Gained first chase/stable success last time out at Kelso where she won with a bit in hand over 2m5½f on good ground. 8lb rise in a tougher race makes life tougher here so must up her game once more.

Form: 3/77341

Non-Runners

Song Saa³²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: T R George J: Mr N George

Forecasts

Skewiff (5/1), Midnight Target (11/2), Black Tulip (6/1), The Bay Birch (6/1), Synopsis (13/2), Inch Lala (15/2), Silent Steps (11/1), Troubled Soul (12/1), Song Saa (12/1), River Icon (14/1), Miss Night Owl (16/1)

A really tricky contest this but it may pay to side with BLACK TULIP who chased home Marienstar who has been a revelation of late and the 5L she was beaten is as close as anything has gotten to that mare in three starts this season. Also on the shortlist is Silent Steps who absolutely hacked up in a weak race last time under a penalty. The Elliott/Johnson combination must always be feared so it will be no surprise if Synopsis goes close either.