16:55 Cheltenham

Friday 25 October 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 6m 52.3s

Mr Mafia^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Harrison Beswick| T: M Keighley| OR: 127

14/1

In a rich vein of form over fences having won three of his last four in this discipline; struck up a fine relationship with Richard Johnson. Often races prominently, jumps/travels well; should be well suited by this test, up 5lb from last win.

Form: 351141

Doing Fine^p,t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125| C

15/2

Found plenty for pressure taking advantage of a much-reduced mark when scoring at Fontwell last time; eventually forged clear after going in snatches (beat Plantagenet). Hard to know if he can back that up; needs a strong gallop scenario.

Form: 245551

Mustmeetalady^b⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Anthony O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125| D

25/1

Given a very simple task when winning at Perth (3m) on his penultimate start (only had two rivals to beat); unsurprisingly not in the same form next time over the same C&D. Eased 2lb in the weights but likely to find this a little too competitive.

Form: 893-315

Cobolobo²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123

4/1

Looks to be the better fancied of the two from this yard; still looks unexposed over fences. Just starting get into contention when last seen (unseated rider; going well at the time); gone well fresh before. Looks well handicapped off this mark.

Form: 8PP/23U-

Uhlan Bute^p¹⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 123

25/1

Fairly useful on his day his form gradually regressed last year after making all to win a veterans' staying chase at Plumpton in January off 4lb lower. Showed little interest when last seen at Cartmel in May; likely to need this first start.

Form: 2404P-7

Belmount^v²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123| D

11/1

Arrives here fitter than most but has struggled for the most part over the summer in staying handicaps over fences. Fared better than late in a change of headgear last time at Warwick; stable in form, well handicapped if he can build on that run.

Form: PP-8F63

Garrane²¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽³⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 122

5/1

Recorded a string of placed efforts last year when completing over fences but continues to find it hard to win races. Ended last season with a creditable second but may need this run with the handicapper looking as though he has his measure.

Form: 222P32-

Elmono³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Cameron Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122

66/1

Won a pair of small-field Musselburgh handicap chases earlier in the year but hasn't matched that form since. May well have needed the run last time (went off too hard though) eventually pulled up; holds only limited appeal.

Form: 1144-FP

Plantagenet²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: J W Mullins| OR: 121

6/1

Ran consistently for the most part over fences last season winning two staying events at Taunton/Plumpton off lesser marks than today (in headgear both times). Bumped into the well handicapped Doing Fine last time; should be competitive this time.

Form: 121PF-2

Fingerontheswitch^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120| D

18/1

Comes into this below his best having run below his best the last twice and nowhere near the form he showed when successful at Worcester in the summer. Still 2lb above his last winning mark, others better handicapped and more appealing.

Form: 3-P1353

The Wicket Chicken^p¹¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr J J Codd| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118

9/1

The more fancied of the two runners from her yard she comes here off a break having tuned in a lacklustre display at Perth when last seen (never travelled well). Not the first time she has run such a race; this test isn't sure to suit.

Form: 432-143

Petite Power^t⁵¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 115

12/1

Given a chance by the handicapper (back on his last winning mark) he does have to overcome some poor performances when last seen. May be refreshed by a break from a yard going well but does need to find some form.

Form: 45529/7-

Clondaw Rigger^t³³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Jordan Gainford⁽⁷⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 105| DWS

10/1

Comes here on a hat-trick having won his last two although that brace of victories did come at the end of last year; not seen since. Steps into a higher grade off the back of a wind op; may need this but not totally written off.

Form: 226/311-

Forecasts

Cobolobo (4/1), Garrane (5/1), Plantagenet (6/1), Doing Fine (15/2), The Wicket Chicken (9/1), Clondaw Rigger (10/1), Belmount (11/1), Petite Power (12/1), Mr Mafia (14/1), Fingerontheswitch (18/1), Mustmeetalady (25/1), Uhlan Bute (25/1), Elmono (66/1)

The form that Mr Mafia showed last time at Newton Abbot has been franked and his style of running and jumping should give him a good chance of putting in the same performance here even without his regular partner. However, the Jonjo O’Neill stable are running hot at the moment and his COBOLOBO makes plenty of appeal as an unexposed staying chaser off what looks to be a still lenient mark. Doing Fine is still well handicapped but can get behind in his races and it won’t be a surprise to see Plantagenet reverse the Fontwell form. Belmount deserves a second glance given the form of his yard while Clondaw Rigger despite having to improve again is worthy of noting given his good form last year.