15:50 Cheltenham

Wednesday 17 April 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Arkells Brewery Nicholson Holman Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 6m 28.4s

Tanarpino^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 133

10/1

Winner at Uttoxeter when last seen but handicapper has shoved him up another 8lb for that, which looks plenty. Trip a slight unknown too, and yard form has rather fallen off a cliff since. Plenty on here.

Form: 212441

Bob Mahler^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132

6/1

Game winner at Newbury last time out, and 4lb rise for that is fine. Seems to act on most ground and should stay this trip, can be inconsistent but has chances again if on a going day.

Form: 2-82381

Little Bruce^p⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 132

14/1

Usually bowls along in front, jumps well in the main and had the Cambridgeshire National at Huntingdon in safe keeping some way out last time. This is harder but he will be a danger to all if allowed a soft lead. More to do, but not ruled out.

Form: FP2231

Clondaw Cian^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 130| C

16/1

Fourth (although tailed off) in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival last time, looked very tired at the end of that and may need more time to get over it. These conditions probably not ideal either and others make more appeal.

Form: PP-3004

Lithic^v⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130

13/2

Not doing a lot wrong at present but keeps getting nudged up the weights for finishing second. Trip won't be an issue but better recent form has come with cut in the ground, which he may not get here.

Form: 42F522

Darius Des Bois⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128| BF

11/2

Beaten favourite too many times for comfort now, clearly has some ability and maybe this trip will bring about a better effort, but gave up the ghost very quickly at Sandown last time, and clearly risky.

Form: 712-22P

Solstice Star^p,t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: M Keighley| OR: 127| C| D

10/1

Knows how to win when the opportunity arises, as he showed when successful at Catterick in February. Heavy ground no use to him at Uttoxeter last time and these conditions look more suitable. Course winner could go well.

Form: 811716

Minella For Me^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 127

20/1

Improving chaser, won with plenty in hand at Kempton last time and 10lb rise looks perfectly fair. Slight concern all winning has come on flat tracks to date but would be foolish to rule out on that alone.

Form: 6-13211

Duke Debarry⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124| D

16/1

Disappointing effort at Huntingdon last time out, but may not have stayed and that effort best forgiven. Winner at Catterick in January and has similar conditions today. Not discounted.

Form: 61-715P

Lord Getaway^p1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Aspell| T: H J Evans| OR: 119| BF

7/1

In good form at present, ran the useful Zamparelli to half a length at Market Rasen last time out. Steps up in grade here but cheek pieces on, and may yet do a bit better.

Form: 6011F2

Tikk Tock Boom^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 110| BF

9/2

Stays well and acts on the ground, so has that going for her. Excellent first effort over fences when just denied at Warwick (battled on well) and with yet more improvement likely, looks a player again here.

Form: 526312

Non-Runners

The Dellercheckout⁴⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: H Cobden

Fifty Shades⁷

Weight: 10-3| Age: 6

T: Christian Williams J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Tikk Tock Boom (9/2), Darius Des Bois (11/2), The Dellercheckout (11/2), Bob Mahler (6/1), Lithic (13/2), Lord Getaway (7/1), Tanarpino (10/1), Solstice Star (10/1), Fifty Shades (12/1), Little Bruce (14/1), Clondaw Cian (16/1), Duke Debarry (16/1), Minella For Me (20/1)

The three at the top of the handicap all like to press on early and this should be run at a good pace. That should suit THEDELLERCHECKOUT, who was travelling well in his races but wasn't really finishing them off until blinkers seemed to transform him last time out. He can follow up again. Lithic would come into this if the ground isn't as quick as forecast, and the improving Tikk Tock Boom is showing a very good attitude in her races at present. Little Bruce will be dangerous if slipping the field early.