16:10 Cheltenham

Thursday 12 March 2020

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

Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 26.08s

Snow Falcon²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: E Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 157| D

33/1

Quadruple Grade 2 winner; mostly recent at Gowran (2m4f) in October. Disappointed on his next two races before a fair effort when third back at Gowran (2m4f) last time. First handicap since winning Kerry National off 8lb lower in 2018; tough ask.

Form: 4-61563

Mister Whitaker^p⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon| OR: 152| CD

22/1

Festival winner (2m4½f) in 2018; won twice last season at Carlisle (2m4f; Listed) and here (2m5f; Grade 2) but form has an uneven look. Beaten 8½L in the off 1lb higher here two runs ago and stamina failed him last time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 44P1-5P

Death Duty²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 151

8/1

Won his first three chases in 2017, including Grade 1 Drinmore (2m4f). Fell next time and off for two years after until well beaten in the Galmoy Hurdle (3m) and Red Mills Chase (2m4f) in recent weeks. Has questions to answer after those efforts.

Form: 111F/44

Siruh Du Lac¹¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 150| CD

14/1

Landed a four-timer last season, culminating with victory in this race by a comfortable ¾L. Pulled up on his only start this year, in the BetVictor Gold Cup in November. 9lb higher than 12 months ago but looks to have been targeted for a repeat bid.

Form: 3/1111-P

Robin Des Foret³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| DWS

12/1

Generally consistent sort who was a good third, beaten 1L, over C&D in December off 2lb lower and ran well in two valuable handicaps at Leopardstown (3m/2m5f) the last twice. Had a wind-operation but vulnerable to less exposed types.

Form: F32-365

Simply The Betts⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 149| CD

10/3

Improved rapidly over fences this season, with three wins and a second from four starts. Kept on gamely to beat Imperial Aura over C&D in January, posting a career best in the process and should be a leading player given his upward trajectory.

Form: 84-1121

Spiritofthegames^p⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 149

16/1

Ran well at the last two Festivals, beaten 3L into third by Siruh Du Lac in this last year. Matched that form with narrow defeats over C&D in Grade 3 company the last twice and is a solid each-way contender with his apparent liking for this track.

Form: 35-P022

Happy Diva^t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 149| BF| C| D

20/1

Likeable mare who has ran well on all four starts this year, including a narrow win in the BetVictor Gold Cup (2m4f) in November. Weakened late on off 6lb higher at Ascot (2m5f) last time; off the same mark here and she has difficult task on that.

Form: U2-2124

La Bague Au Roi³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 149| D

16/1

Dual Grade 1 winning novice chaser last season (3m/2m5f). Matched that form in defeat this season, running well for a way in the Irish Gold Cup behind Delta Work last time. Drop in trip looks a positive on her chasing handicap debut; shortlisted.

Form: 12-P335

Kauto Riko^t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 147

50/1

Ultimately was no match for Definitly Red in the Listed Premier Chase at Kelso (2m7½f, heavy) late last month; does seem to have improved a little this season but beaten in his last two handicaps off lower marks than this; others preferred.

Form: 138-252

Vision Des Flos^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147

20/1

Grade 2 winning hurdler, highly tried in recent seasons. Only had four starts over fences but his only win at Chepstow (2m7½f) two runs ago was against a sole rival. Well beaten in Grade 1 company last time but isn't badly handicapped on his best.

Form: 0-63516

Ben Dundee^t⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 147

10/1

Hasn't won since landing a beginners' chase at Punchestown 18 months ago. Ran a career best at Navan (2m4f) when beaten ¾L in December; finished midfield over hurdles when last seen and is now 9lb higher back over fences. Faces a tough task.

Form: F63-427

Oldgrangewood⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 147| CD

11/1

In terrific form this season with valuable wins at Newbury (2m4f) and C&D last time. Won both by only a nose but up 12lb in total and this is more competitive again so another career best required if he's to land a hat-trick.

Form: 93-3311

Imperial Presence⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145

66/1

Went up 22lb for three wins in 2018 and has been struggling with his handicap mark since; has only dropped 5lb despite six defeats and although he was only 5¼L behind Warthog over C&D last time, that still leaves him with plenty to find.

Form: 24-PF85

Deyrann de Carjac⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 145| D

14/1

Won a hot novices' chase at Huntingdon (2m4f) in November and has been placed in Grade 2 races at Newbury (2m4f) and C&D on both starts since. Has been laid out for a Festival target and avoided another option here on Tuesday for this; contender.

Form: 25-1133

Louis' Vac Pouch²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 144| BF| D

50/1

Won two small field novice chases in early 2019 and also finished second in a Grade 2 at Ayr (2m4f). Hasn't matched that form since then and was turned over in a jumpers' bumper at Newcastle (2m½f) on his stable debut last time. Other preferred.

Form: F2-U532

Livelovelaugh⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144| D

33/1

Could be given a small chance on his seconds at Leopardstown (2m5f) and Punchestown (2m4f) last year but is inconsistent for one from this yard. Has been well beaten on all four starts at the Festival and he would be a surprise winner.

Form: 200-200

Charmant⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: J Ewart| OR: 143

33/1

Up 7lb after an easy win at Wetherby (2m3½f) last time, coming home 23L clear of his nearest rival. Has never contested a race this competitive and isn't the most reliable but has a good jockey aboard if able to cause an upset.

Form: 41F-451

Highway One O One¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: C Gordon| OR: 143

50/1

Had been a fairly consistent gelding until pulling on his last two starts, including over C&D in January. Had finished a good third, beaten 1L, at Kempton (3m) over Christmas but hard to have any confidence on the back go his recent efforts.

Form: 2U43PP

Blazer³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

11/1

Only the one win from 11 starts over fences, back in May 2017. Is a regular in big field competitive handicaps; ran well at Leopardstown (2m5f) 39 days ago but generally comes up short of the required level to win for all he represents a top yard.

Form: 0630-54

Springtown Lake²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142| D

12/1

Made a good chasing debut in November 2018 but after an uneven run of form, he has bounced back the last twice. A second at Chepstow was followed by an easy win at Warwick (2m4f) last time; up 7lb but could be peaking at the right time.

Form: 5P-7P21

Royal Village^p¹⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: T Scudamore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 141| D

80/1

Ran well in some decent races last summer, with two wins at Uttoxeter (2m4f) and Southwell (2m4½f). Off since October and has been kept away from softer ground during his career which has to be a concern considering the quality of opposition.

Form: 6-14213

Not Another Muddle³³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 140| BF

20/1

Well placed to win three of his first four chases (2m-2m3½f) in 2017/18. Ran a fair race when fifth in the Grand Annual (2m½) off 2lb lower 12 months ago and is lightly raced for his age but it will be a tremendous effort to win after 335 days off.

Form: 11/3152-

Non-Runners

Clondaw Castle³³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: T R George J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Simply The Betts (10/3), Death Duty (8/1), Ben Dundee (10/1), Oldgrangewood (11/1), Blazer (11/1), Springtown Lake (12/1), Robin Des Foret (12/1), Deyrann de Carjac (14/1), Clondaw Castle (14/1), Siruh Du Lac (14/1), Spiritofthegames (16/1), La Bague Au Roi (16/1), Happy Diva (20/1), Vision Des Flos (20/1), Not Another Muddle (20/1), Mister Whitaker (22/1), Livelovelaugh (33/1), Snow Falcon (33/1), Charmant (33/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (50/1), Kauto Riko (50/1), Highway One O One (50/1), Imperial Presence (66/1), Royal Village (80/1)

An intriguing and difficult line-up in which Simply The Betts should go close after four solid, improving runs this season and looks open to further improvement. Dropping down from Graded company should see La Bague Au Roi in the mix whilst Spiritofthegames and Mister Whitaker have rock solid form in competitive handicaps at this track. The tentative selection is handicap debutant DEYRANN DE CARJAC, whose early season form has worked out well and has been placed behind some decent animals on his last two runs.