MansionBet Cheltmas Bet 10 Get 20 Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 4m 5.54s

Solomon Grey^t²⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| D

11/2

Well backed and better than ever when justifying that support in a handicap chase at Uttoxeter in August. Off since, but in top hands so fitness unlikely to be an issue.

Form: 3048-31

Hatcher⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

11/1

Justified support when making winning return to fences at Southwell in July. Not disgraced in tougher races at Cheltenham and Newbury during the autumn one but Ludlow run in December was poor.

Form: 01-174P

Pingshou^t¹⁵⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| D

25/1

Smart novice hurdler in 2016/17 and off mark over fences at Ffos Las in 2019. Jumping has been an issue with him since, but he did look back in better heart at Chepstow in October.

Form: 22FF-55

Hollywoodien^p²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Symonds| OR: 137| CD

2/1

Successful at Hereford last March with re-addition of cheekpieces. Not disgraced after 10 months off when third at Sandown on return but had another wind op after ad was brushed aside at Wetherby.

Form: 3UP1-35

Financier^t⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 136| D

9/2

Lightly-raced chaser who scored in a maiden at Ludlow last season and only just denied in handicap at Chepstow on reappearance. Let down by jumping both starts since, though.

Form: P13-27F

Marracudja^t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| BF| D

2/1

Back on his last winning mark and following another breathing operation, he offered more when third at Wetherby last month, rallying well. Could be the way to go.

Form: 467343

Non-Runners

Gortroe Joe¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: F O'Brien J: Liam Harrison

Forecasts

Hollywoodien (2/1), Marracudja (2/1), Financier (9/2), Solomon Grey (11/2), Gortroe Joe (10/1), Hatcher (11/1), Pingshou (25/1)

This looks trappy, but top-trainer Dan Skelton is triple-handed, with MARRACUDJA, who offered more back on his last winning mark at Wetherby last time, perhaps the safest bet. Solomon Grey returns from an absence but is feared, with Pingshou capable if cutting the errors out.