14:00 Cheltenham

Wednesday 1 January 2020

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

Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 29.61s

Kalashnikov³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 161| BF

3/1

Grade 1 winner at Aintree last season and lost nothing in defeat when only narrowly denied at Newbury last time out. 6lb rise looks on the harsh side but ought to give another good account.

Form: 22U1-22

Saint Calvados⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 157| C

8/1

Returned from wind surgery to land a heavy ground Cheltenham handicap in October but well beaten last time out, probably unsuited by the slow pace. Workable mark but may want conditions more testing than what's likely here.

Form: 1337-14

Cepage¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 155| BF| D

15/2

Gained a first win since his debut for this yard at Kempton last year. Running well in defeat in his two starts this season and has run some of his better races at this venue.

Form: 414/2-24

Magic Saint³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154

11/1

Went well for a long way on his seasonal bow here in November and held on gamely to get his head back in front at Newbury last time out. Needs to prove he's as effective at this trip and a 7lb rise makes life tougher.

Form: 10F2-51

Mister Whitaker^p²⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon| OR: 153| CD

10/1

Has an excellent record at this venue (three wins from five attempts) and last seen in April when recording another course success. Only 4lb higher and has an okay record fresh.

Form: 1/144P1-

Outlander²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: R Spencer| OR: 150| D

66/1

Three-time Grade 1 winner over fences. Not disgraced in the National on debut for this yard but never involved at Aintree last time; on a nice mark on his return to handicaps.

Form: 35449-3

Ok Corral³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 149| D

15/2

Won his first two starts over fences last season but pulled up at the Festival and tailed off on his return at Newbury in November; on a workable mark but he has questions to answer at present.

Form: 25/11P-0

Lalor^p1⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: K Woollacott| OR: 149| C

20/1

Could hardly have been more impressive in last year's Arkle Trial here but has gone backwards subsequently. On a fair mark if he can find his old form and first-time cheekpieces may help.

Form: 1/13P6-4

Ex Patriot⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: Miss Ellmarie Holden| OR: 147

6/1

Won a valuable handicap at Gowran Park in March and respectable efforts in defeat in two starts this campaign. Up 1lb for the latest effort but likely has another race like this in him.

Form: 5411-23

Oldgrangewood³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142

12/1

Narrowly got the better of Kalashnikov when completing back-to-back wins in a Newbury handicap. 7lb higher and yet to show his best form at this venue but still capable from this mark.

Form: 693-331

Poker Play^p⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 138| D

10/1

Impressive when winning at Ffos Las on his return to fences but didn't back that up when a drifter in the market prior to his last run here. Drop back in trip should suit.

Form: P210-15

Ballyhill⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137| CD

16/1

Course winner whose latest success came when dropped in class at Aintree last year. However, going backwards since and particularly disappointing on his two starts this year.

Form: 3330-66

Forecasts

Kalashnikov (3/1), Ex Patriot (6/1), Cepage (15/2), Ok Corral (15/2), Saint Calvados (8/1), Mister Whitaker (10/1), Poker Play (10/1), Magic Saint (11/1), Oldgrangewood (12/1), Ballyhill (16/1), Lalor (20/1), Outlander (66/1)

It's hard to rule out the majority of these candidates but the tentative vote goes to three-time course and distance winner MISTER WHITAKER. Mick Channon's eight-year-old has only been put up 4lb for his success here when last seen and he managed to win when fresh on his seasonal reappearance last season. Saint Calvados shouldn't be ruled out in a race of this nature while Poker Play might enjoy a less demanding trip.