14:10 Cheltenham

Wednesday 11 March 2020

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

RSA Insurance Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 28.67s

Allaho⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| D

5/2

Second to stablemate Easy Game on chase bow at Christmas, he made up for that with ready success at Fairyhouse next time; third in Albert Bartlett here last year; he has to turn around best hurdles form with Minella Indo.

Form: 413-221

Aye Right⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 146| D

100/1

Shy of these at their best over hurdles; he won a match at Newcastle on his second chase start in January having unseated on debut; finds himself swimming in the deep end now and surely going to be up against it.

Form: 41-12U1

Battleoverdoyen^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| BF| D

7/1

Pulled up when fav in Ballymore last year, he won his first three over fences in good style but was beaten when he fell at the final fence last time in Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m5f, yielding to soft; 13-8jf) where Easy Game finished second. Opposable.

Form: 1P-111F

Castlebawn West^h³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150

50/1

Won a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse (2m5f, yielding; 2-1) in January but well behind stablemates Faugheen and Easy Game at Dublin Racing Festival since; longer trip now but the least fancied of Willie Mullins' trio.

Form: P4-6514

Champ⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| BF

4/1

Touched off by City Island in Ballymore last year before ready 3m Aintree Grade 1 success; won first two chases at Newbury (not without incident) and in control here in the Dipper (2m4f) before cataclysmic error took him out. Trust issues as such.

Form: 121-11F

Copperhead²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 155| D

6/1

Nothing special in bumpers/over hurdles but rapidly improving for meeting fences; galloped rivals ragged in the Reynoldstown at Ascot (3m, soft; 6-1) last month and commands the utmost respect with that effort in mind.

Form: 11-5111

Easy Game³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154

10/1

Chased home Honeysuckle over hurdles on seasonal bow before accounting for fancied stablemate Allaho on chase debut; couldn't get by the warrior that is Faugheen last time at Leopardstown (2m5f) and stable jockey sides with re-opposing Allaho now.

Form: 83-7212

Minella Indo⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147| CD

3/1

Last year's Albert Bartlett winner over 3m (Allaho third), upheld that form at Punchestown; behind Laurina (second) on chase bow but decisive winner of beginners' contest at Navan up to 3m (second won Grade 2 next time). Strong stayer with claims.

Form: 321-121

Pym²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| C| D

33/1

C&D winner in December, making all, though that form doesn't amount to all that much. Too many mistakes at Ascot in the Reynoldstown when no match for Copperhead and was eventually pulled up.

Form: 10-211P

Slate House^t⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 155| C| D

20/1

Out the back in Arkle last year but has won all three completed starts this season; including 3m Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day. Fell here in November and pulled up when taking on Santini on Trials Day; back amongst novices but must improve.

Form: 8-1F11P

Forecasts

Allaho (5/2), Minella Indo (3/1), Champ (4/1), Copperhead (6/1), Battleoverdoyen (7/1), Easy Game (10/1), Slate House (20/1), Pym (33/1), Castlebawn West (50/1), Aye Right (100/1)

A race that has stayed in Britain on four of the last six years, and may do so again with the fast-improving COPPERHEAD looking tailor-made for this assignment. He jumps for fun and will stay all day long. Champ is fascinating and could have the class to land this prize but the error that cost him victory in the Dipper on New Year's Day was truly desperate and it will be heart in mouth stuff over the obstacles. Last year's Albert Bartlett winner Minella Indo could be a massive threat over this trip while his old rival Allaho is seemingly the one Team Mullins have most faith in despite being beaten by Easy Game in December.