13:15 Cheltenham

Saturday 12 December 2020

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Spreadex Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 4m 13.95s

Magic Saint^t1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159| BF| CD

4/1

Stepped up on his reappearance when resuming winning ways with a high-class performance back down in trip here in November. Ran at least as well from 7 lb higher at Ascot since. Tongue tie on.

Form: 517-614

Forest Bihan^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 153| D

25/1

Smart chaser who landed the Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October 2019. Not seen again until falling early on over hurdles at Haydock 13 months later. Hard to be sure what sort of form he's in.

Form: 247/31-F

Capeland^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| C| D

12/1

Won Hurst Park Handicap Chase at Ascot last season and back on track in first-time cheekpieces when third in latest renewal of same race last time, making effort earlier than ideal. Respected.

Form: 1450-F3

Gino Trail^p²¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 147| CD

14/1

Won this corresponding race in 2017, but he's firmly in the veteran stage now and did way too much in front when pulled up at Ascot 3 weeks ago. Others preferred.

Form: 2P/P1P-P

Zanza¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145| D

11/2

Useful winning 2m hurdler. Type to do well over fences given his physique and took another step forward to get off the mark at Newbury (16.4f) 14 days ago. Open to further improvement.

Form: F60-421

Born Survivor²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145

14/1

Not disgraced in 3 good races last season and stepped up a good deal on his return when 13½ lengths fourth of 9 to Magic Saint on the Old Course last month. He's on a fair mark on his best form.

Form: 1/444-94

Ibleo⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137| BF| D

10/3

Defied huge absence to make winning chase debut at Wincanton last season and easily followed up at Huntingdon. Further progress when second both starts since, including at Ascot on return. Big player.

Form: 98/112-2

Nietzsche^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: N de Boinville| T: B Ellison| OR: 135| CD

9/1

Posted some good efforts on the Flat in late summer and ran a cracker back over fences when third at Wetherby in October. Filled same spot at Doncaster (19.1f) and remains low mileage in this sphere.

Form: 2U27-33

Sky Pirate^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: T Scudamore| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 134

4/1

Strong traveller who looked half-hearted despite finishing a good second on his return at Wetherby. Again flattered to deceive in Paddy Power Gold Cup and it's likely he'll continue to frustrate.

Form: 7/F22-25

Forecasts

Ibleo (10/3), Sky Pirate (4/1), Magic Saint (4/1), Zanza (11/2), Nietzsche (9/1), Capeland (12/1), Gino Trail (14/1), Born Survivor (14/1), Forest Bihan (25/1)

IBLEO's chasing profile is all positive so far and it's possible he hasn't finished improving yet, so he's an appealing candidate. Magic Saint is likely to give another good account over this trip, with the unexposed Zanza completing the shortlist.