15:27 Hereford

Saturday 13 March 2021

All14:1714:5215:2716:0216:3717:1217:45

Follow MansionBet This Cheltmas Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 5m 28.4s

Where Eagles Dare^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 122

33/1

Bumper winner and showed ability over hurdles for Noel Meade in Ireland. However, beaten a fair way starting out for this yard here last month and improvement needed now switched to fences.

Form: 97462/6

Presence Of Mind¹⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

5/1

Looked promising last season, winning a bumper and novice hurdle. Underwhemling so far this term, though, and needs to get back on track now tackling the larger obstacles.

Form: 1/211-98

Voyage De Retour¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 119

7/1

Fair form at best in 3 runs for Nicky Henderson, but took a step forward when runner-up on debut for new yard in a Southwell novice hurdle. This point winner may have more to offer now sent chasing.

Form: 516/3-82

Oski³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119

11/2

Fair hurdler earlier in career and good third in a Taunton novices' handicap chase in December. However, that effort is bookmarked by non-completions and he looks risky.

Form: 1P1/U3P

Fraternel⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 116

5/1

French import who landed a Fakenham novice hurdle (2½m) last February. However, has failed to build on that so far this season and improvement needed now trying his hand over fences.

Form: 3/51-346

Grand Turina¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: R Patrick| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 113

4/1

Yet to strike over fences, but held every chance when falling at the last at Chepstow on penultimate start. Creditable second over 19f here subsequently and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 5-P35F2

Luis Van Zandt¹⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 110

66/1

Opened hurdles account at Gowran last summer, but both subsequent efforts have been tame and he has plenty to prove on chase debut for new yard.

Form: 3/P-3100

Furiously Fast⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: D Burchell| OR: 108| C

10/3

Fair hurdles winner who has acquitted himself well in handicap chases at Wincanton and over this C&D the last twice. Should make his presence felt, but again without being quite good enough.

Form: 55/5-742

Lamanver Bel Ami^h²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Jack Barber| OR: 108| D

20/1

Gamely won 21f Ffos Las handicap chase on debut over fences in November, but poor efforts next 2 starts, shaping as if amiss at Fontwell 23 days ago.

Form: 67-11P7

Fitz Well⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 105

22/1

Fair fourth of 11 in maiden hurdle on Rules debut in November, but has completely bombed out in 2 subsequent starts. Chase debut.

Form: 3-40P

Non-Runners

Carrick Roads⁷⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: C L Tizzard J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

Furiously Fast (10/3), Grand Turina (4/1), Fraternel (5/1), Presence Of Mind (5/1), Oski (11/2), Voyage De Retour (7/1), Carrick Roads (12/1), Lamanver Bel Ami (20/1), Fitz Well (22/1), Where Eagles Dare (33/1), Luis Van Zandt (66/1)

The vote goes to VOYAGE DE RETOUR, who made a positive start for this yard when runner-up in a decent novice hurdle at Southwell and this former point winner is of interest now that his attention is turned to chasing. Grand Turina is a much-respected main danger, while Furiously Fast could be in line for more place money.