16:50 Cheltenham

Tuesday 16 March 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 7m 57.84s

Eden Du Houx¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

200/1

Useful hurdler but yet to match that form since sent chasing and well below par on his last 2 runs after a wind op. Has serious questions to answer at present.

Form: 4-044P5

Escaria Ten⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 147

11/4

Fast-improving chaser who was easy winner of 3m1f Thurles maiden before excellent second to Eklat De Rire in Grade 3 at Naas. Open to further improvement up in trip, and he needs considering.

Form: 110-512

Galvin¹⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Kennedy| T: I R Ferguson| OR: 152| C

7/2

Nearly landed a valuable pot at the Festival last term. Retained novice status and made it 4-4 in first half of season with emphatic 3m win here in October. Not ruled out with better to come at 3m6f.

Form: 22-1111

Lithic^v²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

150/1

Dual hurdle winner but long-standing maiden over fences who refused 2 out (well held) in Carlisle handicap chase last month. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 6-3243R

Lord Royal^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| BF

10/1

Useful hurdler who has quickly reached same level over fences, tongue tied when runner-up in 3m Navan novice in January. Still lightly raced and may do better still now tackling this longer trip.

Form: 2/12-F52

Macgiloney¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: D Hogan| OR: 131

100/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who got back on track with win in Fairyhouse novice (3m1f) last month. This longer trip should suit but faces a very tough ask.

Form: 5P39U1

Nestor Park^p⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 136| BF

40/1

Dual hurdle winner in 2018/19. Still to score over fences but arrives on back of two very useful efforts when runner-up at Newbury and Ffos Las. This trip should prove within his compass. Respected.

Form: P4-2522

Next Destination⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153

3/1

Grade 1 staying-hurdle winner for Willie Mullins in 2017/18 who has impressed with Grade 2 chase successes at Newbury and Warwick for current yard. Good jumper. More to offer at this trip. Big player.

Form: 131/211

Ofalltheginjoints^t1⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 143| BF

33/1

Looked excellent chasing prospect when stylish winner of 3m Exeter handicap only to disappoint when last of 4 in Grade 2 at Doncaster. Remains with potential so no forlorn hope.

Form: 444-314

Remastered^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 146

11/2

Hasn't looked back since sent chasing and made it 3-3 with smart effort to land Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot last month. Bold-jumping front runner who will relish this extended trip. Well in the mix.

Form: P33-111

The Mighty Don³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 140| C

40/1

Capable of useful form but has never looked a natural over fences, and off bridle a long way out when pulled up at Taunton in January. Well held switched to bumper latest and very hard to fancy here.

Form: 0-132P0

Snow Leopardess⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 138| BF

16/1

Has come to chasing late but taken to it very well, landing 3m1f handicap at Haydock before excellent second in Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby over Christmas. This demands a big step forward, though.

Form: 92-3212

Non-Runners

Soldier Of Love¹²¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: P F Nicholls J: Bryony Frost

Forecasts

Escaria Ten (11/4), Next Destination (3/1), Galvin (7/2), Remastered (11/2), Lord Royal (10/1), Snow Leopardess (16/1), Soldier Of Love (25/1), Ofalltheginjoints (33/1), The Mighty Don (40/1), Nestor Park (40/1), Macgiloney (100/1), Lithic (150/1), Eden Du Houx (200/1)

Royale Pagaille's late defection puts a different slant on this and NEXT DESTINATION could be the one to take advantage given Paul Nicholls' sound jumper is an impressive 2-2 over fences and will be suited by this longer trip. Gutsy Reynoldstown victor Remastered is another who will thrive for this stamina test and is feared most, with Irish hopes Galvin and Escaria Ten much respected too.