13:55 Cheltenham

Saturday 14 December 2019

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

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:56 | Winning time: 5m 34.3s

Cepage³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 155| BF| D

5/1

Second in this race last year to dual winner Frodon he returned from a near year long break with a fine second at Aintree (2m4f) recently. Form looks even better now given the subsequent win of the third; 12lb higher in the weights than last year.

Form: 3414/2-2

Keeper Hill²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 153

16/1

Lost his way over fences having won a couple of chasing tests including a Grade 2 novice in 2017/18. Rehabilitated over hurdles last year; chasing career back on track last time (had wind op) when surprise winner at Haydock; jumping still suspect.

Form: 21003-1

Secret Investor^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| D

8/1

Decent first season over fences scoring twice including at Grade 2 level (2m4f). Shaped better than the bare result suggests when taking second at Down Royal on his return (ran too free); first try in a handicap, yard have good record in this.

Form: 22411-2

Robin Des Foret²⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| D

16/1

Irish raider who scored three time in novice company last year rounding off his season with a sound second in a Grade 3 Limerick novice (3m). Reappears after a long break (fitness not an issue) to make his handicap debut in exacting company.

Form: 312F32-

Imperial Presence²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 146

33/1

Completed a hat-trick over fences (all in handicaps) in 2018 but has returned a mixed bag of results since. Both recent runs have left questions to be answered; led last time but faded quickly when pressed, hard to present a valid case.

Form: 124-PF8

Spiritofthegames¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 146

40/1

Smart chaser at his best who was well fancied post a wind op for the BetVictor here last month (pulled up after travelling well). Regressed further last time at Newbury appearing well out of his comfort zone; plenty to prove as things stand.

Form: 4335-P0

Knocknanuss²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 145

12/1

Headstrong sort who shaped well here over 2m on his return from a break looking still potentially unexposed over fences. Went off too hard, also unsuited by right-handed track last time; has ability but needs a lid kept on his exuberance.

Form: 2F55-36

Clondaw Castle⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 144| BF

7/1

Matched the performance levels that he had shown over hurdles when switched to fences last year winning twice, also put on creditable performances at Graded level. Respectable effort on his return; unexposed at this trip, chance if he stays.

Form: 21144-2

Brelan D'As^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

7/1

Generally suited by the demands of big-field handicaps having finished placed in the Grand Annual, took second in the BetVictor last time. Up 5lb for that effort he can look a tricky ride but the demands of this contest may well suit his run style.

Form: 5135-U2

Good Man Pat²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 136

15/2

Lightly-raced sort over fences who shaped encouragingly after seven months off when trying 3m at Ascot for the first time. Left the impression that run was needed and now given a test that could prove perfect for him off a decent looking mark.

Form: 313P5-4

Generous Day¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 134| D

25/1

Returned to fences last time after a tune-up over hurdles and showed the benefit of that outing by winning a Warwick handicap by 6L (typically travelled well). Faces a tougher test here but his run style ensures he will catch the eye.

Form: 2171-81

Warthog^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 132

7/1

Form last season has a rather uneven feel to it although his one win was highly encouraging. Shaped as if he retained most of his ability (post a wind op) in the BetVictor here last time (took third); can he now build on that run off 1lb lower.

Form: 7/1P3P-3

Not That Fuisse²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131

7/1

Best effort over fences came around here and for the most part he matched his hurdles form in this sphere. Easy to back last time he faced a tough ask, now switched to handicaps over fences; this may suit better, no surprise to see him involved.

Form: 14F-224

Non-Runners

Riders Onthe Storm³⁵

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Non Runner

Lalor³⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: K Woollacott J: Non Runner

Benatar³²⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: G & J Moore J: Joshua Moore

Forecasts

Riders Onthe Storm (4/1), Cepage (5/1), Warthog (7/1), Not That Fuisse (7/1), Brelan D'As (7/1), Clondaw Castle (7/1), Good Man Pat (15/2), Secret Investor (8/1), Knocknanuss (12/1), Benatar (12/1), Robin Des Foret (16/1), Lalor (16/1), Keeper Hill (16/1), Generous Day (25/1), Imperial Presence (33/1), Spiritofthegames (40/1)

As with most Cheltenham handicaps this is a brutal puzzle to solve although a nod must be given first of all to the two Paul Nicholls contenders Berlan D’As and Secret Investor with the trainer having such a good record in the race. Cepage second in this race last year faces a stiffer task this time around and it may well be worth looking in the lower reaches of the handicap for the winner. GOOD MAN PAT caught the eye last time out at Ascot the lack of an outing just telling on him late on, this track and trip look ideal. Warthog if he can back up his third in the BetVictor enters the equation as does Not That Fuisse who looks nicely weighted on his chasing efforts so far.