13:50 Cheltenham

Friday 13 November 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 7.74s

Magic Saint¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152| D

10/3

Shaped well in BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on return last year and beat a subsequent Grade 2 winner at Newbury next time. Respectable comeback at Aintree and drop back in trip looks a good move.

Form: F2/517-6

Fanion D'estruval³²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 150| BF| D

5/1

Prolific in France and was most impressive in 2m Newbury novice handicap chase on British debut a year ago. Failed to meet expectations in Grade 2 at Kempton only start since but worth another chance.

Form: 7/11115-

Born Survivor¹⁴

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

28/1

Not disgraced in 3 good races last season but needs to leave behind a disappointing reappearance run at Wetherby.

Form: 41/444-9

On The Slopes²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: C Gordon| OR: 142| D

3/1

Did well over fences last season, third in red-hot 20f Timeform novice handicap here on Trials Day before winning twice at Kempton. Respectable comeback over C&D 3 weeks ago and better expected now.

Form: 33311-5

Beat The Judge²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 142| BF| D

9/2

Useful hurdler who has made a fine start over fences, showing smart form switched to a handicap when winning at Fontwell. Not seen to best effect when third over C&D since and remains with potential.

Form: 68-3113

Ballywood²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 142| D

13/2

Winless last season after a productive 2018/19 and behind Beat The Judge both starts this term, including over C&D 3 weeks ago. Becoming something of a flatterer.

Form: U336-26

Eamon An Cnoic^b,t²⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 135| DWS

12/1

Largely below form last season though was a good second off this mark here (16.3f) in December. Others more solid.

Form: 0U023U-

Azzuri¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

80/1

Largely disappointing since listed handicap win at Ayr in April 2019 but has tumbled in the weights and almost justified support from the front at Southwell in July. Well held last 3 starts though.

Form: P-23506

Full Glass¹³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: A Sadik| OR: 128

150/1

Useful hurdler/chaser in France but lost his way for 2 different yards since so hard to make a case for.

Form: PP/3-F34

Forecasts

On The Slopes (3/1), Magic Saint (10/3), Beat The Judge (9/2), Fanion D'estruval (5/1), Ballywood (13/2), Eamon An Cnoic (12/1), Born Survivor (28/1), Azzuri (80/1), Full Glass (150/1)

BEAT THE JUDGE wasn't seen to best effect when going for a hat-trick in a similar event over C&D 3 weeks ago, forced wide throughout and finishing with running left, so he remains one to be positive about. Magic Saint rates a big threat returned to what is probably his optimum trip, while Fanion d'Estruval is worth another chance given how impressive he was at Newbury.