15:10 Cheltenham

Saturday 26 October 2019

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

Randox Health Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 4m 19.9s

Saint Calvados²²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 155| DWS

5/2

Talented 2m chaser last seen finsihing 7th to Altior in the Champion Chase here in March. Returns from wind surgery so interesting to see how he fairs. Scored first time out last seen so does run well fresh.

Form: 14/1337-

Mcgroarty^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 152| D

10/1

Has shot up the weights courtesy of four wins form his last six starts and won very well at Kelso last time out in decent event off 4lb lower mark. More needed here but a bold show cannot be ruled out in current form.

Form: 145111

Gino Trail^v1²²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 149| CD

12/1

Talented veteran who hardly knows how to run a bad race and uncharacteristically pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen. Returns here off 3lb lower with first-time visor applied and champion jockey on board.

Form: 123/22P-

Duke Of Navan¹⁹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 144| D

16/1

Beaten a head off today's mark in this race 12 months ago on seasonal return so no doubt he can go well after a break. Ended last term on a downer when falling at Ayr and will do well to score now well into the veteran stage.

Form: 3/2P53F-

Knocknanuss²⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 144| D

11/2

Won novice events at Fakenham and Newbury last autumn then found out in Grade 1 company final three starts. Eased 2lb from end-of-season rating and not without a chance here is ready to roll in more realistic company.

Form: 112F55-

Doitforthevillage^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 139| CD

10/1

Previous C&D winner who should be all the better for recent pipe-opener, Only win last season came off 6lb lower than today so will have to be at his peak if he's to trouble the judge.

Form: 12303-9

Brelan D'As^t²⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

5/1

Two novice chase wins last term prior to excellent third in Grand Annual Chase here at the Festival in March off 3lb lower. Top yard ticking over steadily and looks the type to progress this season. Worthy of serious consideration.

Form: 215135-

Marracudja^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| CD

10/1

Hasn't won since scoring at Musselburgh in February 2018 but failed by only a short-head in Wetherby's Castleford Chase last December. Wind surgery after that and hasn't quite managed to bounce back to old form in three starts since.

Form: 63283-8

Master Work²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| D

12/1

9lb rise for good win last time at Fontwell makes life tougher but is clearly in good form and appears to be improving. Represents top team so no reason why he shouldn't give a good account of hmself.

Form: 53325-1

Vaniteux^p,t²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 126| D

20/1

Grade 2-winning chaser for Nicky Henderson in 2016 but first win since came only on penultimate start for current yard when scoring in the French provinces. Hard to assess having been beaten on return visit there last time and may struggle.

Form: 550-816

Northern Beau^b1,t⁶⁹

40/1

Won three of last six starts but has undergone wind surgery since pulling up at Southwell in August. Has a very tough task from 7lb out of the handicap.

Form: 121-31P

Forecasts

Saint Calvados (5/2), Brelan D'As (5/1), Knocknanuss (11/2), Doitforthevillage (10/1), Marracudja (10/1), Mcgroarty (10/1), Master Work (12/1), Gino Trail (12/1), Duke Of Navan (16/1), Vaniteux (20/1), Northern Beau (40/1)

Plenty of old favourites do battle here but it might be BRELAN D'AS who comes out on top and he is taken to build on the promising campaign he enjoyed last term. Top weight Saint Calvados is classy and tends to go well fresh so is a definite danger, as too is the in-form McGroarty. Old Gino Trail cannot be ruled out if responding positively to the first-time visor, while the youngster Master Work, and last year's runner-up Duke Of Navan will also give it a good go.