12:50 Cheltenham

Tuesday 1 January 2019

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:50

Join The BetBright Racing Club Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 6m 51.20s

Beware The Bear^b1³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 146

7/2

Strong stayer who made an encouraging enough return from a wind operation at Newbury last time. Expected to improve for that and with the yard in form and first-time headgear, he's not one to underestimate.

Form: 4/1P4P-4

Perfect Candidate^p²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 143| CD

16/1

Has failed to fire in three starts this season and not getting any younger but he does have some smart course form with three wins including a Grade 3. Starting to look very well-handicapped but no doubt he needs to bounce back.

Form: 05F-0P6

Rolling Dylan^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142

4/1

Only run out of things late on over C&D last time out. Relatively few miles on the clock for a staying chaser and only nudged up 2lb for the latest effort; worthy of plenty of respect.

Form: 2312-43

Shanroe Santos^b²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: L Wadham| OR: 137| BF

10/1

Produced a career best when winning at Fontwell (3m2½f) two starts back. Failed to back that up when favourite next time out, the runner-up from his Fontwell success reversing the form. Yard in form but probably a shade vulnerable from this mark.

Form: 1U6-414

The Druids Nephew^p⁶¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137| C

12/1

On a long losing run since his Grade 3 success here in 2015 but there's no doubting his talent and the handicapper has tried to give him a chance on his return from a significant absence. He will most likely be in need of the run though.

Form: 2P5978/

Sir Mangan^b¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF| D

8/1

Turned over at odds-on last time out but only narrowly denied and seems to be a better chaser than hurdler these days. Will need more against these rivals though.

Form: 0-F7922

Some Chaos²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 127| BF

9/4

Returned with two wide margin wins for his new yard and only found one too good in his hat-trick bid at Wincanton last time. Far less exposed than most in here and jumps well so has to be considered an interesting contender.

Form: 794/112

Alvarado³⁸

Age: 14| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126| C

33/1

Hasn't won since his 2013 course success in a Grade 3 Handicap but he retains some of his ability and the handicapper has dropped him another 2lb for a respectable third at Haydock last time. Better over further than this these days though.

Form: P4/32-93

Thomas Crapper^p²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 121| C| D

14/1

Won a five-runner event at Southwell in November and not disgraced from his revised mark at Sandown last time. Has run well here at time without getting his head in front in eight chase starts and expect him to be doing his best work in the finish.

Form: P9-6012

Non-Runners

Robinsfirth³⁸²

Weight: 12-1| Age: 10

T: C L Tizzard J: R M Power

Forecasts

Some Chaos (9/4), Beware The Bear (7/2), Rolling Dylan (4/1), Robinsfirth (4/1), Sir Mangan (8/1), Shanroe Santos (10/1), The Druids Nephew (12/1), Thomas Crapper (14/1), Perfect Candidate (16/1), Alvarado (33/1)

A fascinating stayers contest and it might be worth taking a chance on one of the less exposed sorts. SOME CHAOS makes most appeal after a highly promising start for his new yard and this smart jumper is expected to take to this course. Rolling Dylan ran well here last time and has less miles on the clock than some while Perfect Candidate could go well, with the handicapper dropping him to what would appear to be a lenient handicap mark.