17:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 10 March 2020

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 8m 25.16s

Anteros^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D Skehan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 122| C

100/1

Rattled off a chasing hat-trick last year in modest handicaps before failing to complete in his two latest outings over fences with his jumping letting him down. Yet to be tested over this far (races off the pace); likely to find this test too tough.

Form: 1118FP

Carefully Selected⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

10/11

Smart chaser who defends an unbeaten record over fences (3-3) having taken two Grade 2 chases when completing his hat-trick. Looks sure to be suited by a test such as this although he is prone to the odd jumping error over stiff fences.

Form: 3/1-3111

Clondaw Cian^p²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J C Barry| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 120| C

100/1

Had plenty of chances to open his chasing account but remains as maiden in this sphere (0-12). Highly tried in handicaps this year in testing conditions (shown very little) and endured a tough race when last seen; one of the lesser lights.

Form: 325260

Forza Milan⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: J Nash| OR: 138

12/1

Gradually finding his feet again over fences for this yard (previously with Jonjo O'Neill) but has still to win in this sphere (0-6). Useful over hurdles he finally showed something of that ilk when second to Carefully Selected last time at Naas.

Form: 1P-5U22

Lamanver Pippin¹¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr William Biddick| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132

33/1

Inexperienced over fences he confirmed the promise of his chasing debut with a comfortable win at Chepstow (3m, soft) when looking well handicapped (form well franked by the second). Hard to ignore but more progress needed.

Form: 1840-41

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: R Hobson| OR: 153

11/2

Gone from strength-to-strength in staying chases failing to record a four-timer recently but putting up another career-best performance. A strong traveller he stays/jumps well (front-runner); has to prove he can around this course.

Form: 221112

Newtide^t1³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 144

12/1

Fortunate Grade 2 winner at Wetherby (left clear last) he did at least show that he had the potential to be a smart staying chaser especially in testing conditions. This will be his toughest test yet (very inexperienced) but should enjoy the test.

Form: 1341-11

Ocean Cove^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ms Lisa O'Neill| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135

33/1

Looks a real stayer with both of his chase outings underlining that point especially at Exeter last time where he was outpaced over 3m in testing conditions. This test should suit him well although his inexperience is a disadvantage.

Form: 331-242

Ravenhill¹⁰⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

12/1

Useful hurdler who has reached the same level for a stable that have won this three times. Fell last time at Navan but had shown fair form when second prior to that In the Kerry National at Listowel; tests such as this should suit; leading player.

Form: 12152F

Redzor^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 133

66/1

Off the mark at the first attempt over fences before being highly tried in two subsequent starts (pulled up in a Kempton Grade 1). Back in calmer waters when last seen turning in a moderate performance; would be a surprise winner.

Form: 27-13P3

Smoking Gun^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr T Hamilton| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 136| BF

20/1

Appears to be the least-fancied of the Irish-trained quartet arriving off the back of a laboured effort at Gowran Park on his handicap chase debut (well-backed). Not always fluent when winning a Punchestown novice prior to that; work to do.

Form: 1-08319

Some Can Dance^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr H D Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 122

100/1

Better in this sphere than he was over hurdles, he's still flying too high here off the joint-lowest rating in the race. Won a 2m4f Ffos Las handicap in testing conditions but has failed to impress in two subsequent starts; hard to recommend.

Form: 1-0213P

Springfield Fox¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr N George| T: T R George| OR: 142| BF

7/1

Made a promising start to his chasing career overcoming a 10lb rise for his initial success (on debut) at Exeter last time making all and jumping well. Two wide-margin wins suggest he won't be out of place here although he is inexperienced for this.

Form: 1-F2211

The Hollow Ginge⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 144

25/1

Useful enough in handicaps over fences, his latest win was rather fortunate (race contained plenty non-completions) at Leicester (2m6f, heavy). Gives the impression a test like this will suit but would need others to falter to get involved.

Form: 9-12371

Forecasts

Carefully Selected (10/11), Lord Du Mesnil (11/2), Springfield Fox (7/1), Ravenhill (12/1), Forza Milan (12/1), Newtide (12/1), Smoking Gun (20/1), The Hollow Ginge (25/1), Lamanver Pippin (33/1), Ocean Cove (33/1), Redzor (66/1), Some Can Dance (100/1), Anteros (100/1), Clondaw Cian (100/1)

A race that has seen several changes over the years and this time around will be run over 3m6f (2f shorter than before). Ireland have a good record in this and they supply a strong team with Carefully Selected entering with an unbeaten record but he can make mistakes and it maybe that one of his compatriots - the Gordon Elliott trained RAVENHILL who represents a better option. His rider Jamie Codd has won this twice before so he won’t lack assistance from the saddle. Forza Milan is another leading Irish contender who should be respected. Most of the GB runners look short on experience but Springfield Fox is an exciting prospect.