13:50 Cheltenham

Friday 11 December 2020

All11:3012:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Fitzdares Club Loves The Peterborough Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 12.14s

Bun Doran³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: T R George| OR: 156| C| D

28/1

Produced a career-best when landing a Kempton Grade 2 last winter. Goes well here (Cheltenham form figures read 621223), but needs to shrug off a low-key reappearance effort at Exeter.

Form: 521F3-7

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Top Notch³³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158| BF| DWS

8/1

High-class chaser who is a dual winner of this race. Not at his best when third to Frodon at Kempton when last seen in January but likely to be well primed for this return. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 10P/113-

Mister Fisher²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 155| C

9/2

Smart novice last term, winner of a Doncaster Grade 2 and fourth in Golden Miller at the Festival here in March. Misfired on return back here last month, but will be a threat if able to bounce back.

Form: 72114-P

Clondaw Castle¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: T R George| OR: 155| D

8/1

Ended last season on a high and fine start to present campaign when runner-up in the Old Roan at Aintree in October. Best effort yet when scoring at Newbury a fortnight ago and he needs considering.

Form: 4/291-21

Dolos^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 160

13/2

Classy chaser who reappeared with a creditable fourth of 13 in 2m handicap here in October. Likely to come on for that run and he's certainly capable of a bold show in this company.

Form: 12714-4

Fanion D'estruval²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 154

10/3

Impressive Newbury winner on British debut last November. Disappointed in a Kempton Grade 2 next time, but back on track when second in 2m handicap on return here and this trip should be within range.

Form: 11115-2

Glen Forsa³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: M R Channon| OR: 151| D

18/1

Very smart novice chaser in 2018/19 and good third in Newbury handicap over this trip on sole run last season. However, well held when falling 2 out on return at Exeter and bit to prove now.

Form: 11UP/3-F

Kalashnikov²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 159| D

5/2

Failed to fire on final 2 starts of last season, but he's very smart when on-song (Grade 1 winner at Aintree in April 2019) and recent reappearance over hurdles was encouraging. Big player.

Form: 1/2285-7

Forecasts

Kalashnikov (5/2), Fanion D'estruval (10/3), Mister Fisher (9/2), Dolos (13/2), Clondaw Castle (8/1), Top Notch (8/1), Glen Forsa (18/1), Bun Doran (28/1)

A very competitive renewal of this Grade 2, rerouted from Huntingdon. FANION D'ESTRUVAL has a bit to find with a few of these on form, but he made a bright start to the season when runner-up in a strong handicap here and this low-mileage 5-y-o may well improve now upped in trip. Top Notch is respected in his bid for a third victory in this race, but Kalashnikov and Dolos rate the main dangers.