14:25 Cheltenham

Friday 10 December 2021

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

Betfair Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 36.54s

Santini^p²⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: P Gundry| OR: 159| C

6/1

Just denied in the Gold Cup in his peak years for Nicky Henderson but not the same force last season. Opening mark is potentially a good one but does arrive with something to prove for new yard.

Form: 12/253P-

Enrilo¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147

11/4

Took really well to fences last term, and first past post in bet365 Chase at Sandown only to be disqualified for bumping rival late. Shaping well before falling in Ladbrokes Trophy on return.

Form: 21P1D-F

Fagan²³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 140

12/1

Low mileage for age and resumed winning ways in emphatic fashion at Newbury in January. Good second in veterans' event at Warwick on return but struggled in a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree last term.

Form: 0/6317-2

Mister Fogpatches¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny Mullins| T: P A Fahy| OR: 139

5/1

Placed in Scottish National on final start last term and still on the upgrade judged on this season's efforts, good third of 16 at Navan last time. Jumping a possible concern around here, though.

Form: 431-433

Rocco^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 139

12/1

Ended losing run when game winner of the Badger Beer at Wincanton 5 weeks ago but not an obvious type to follow up off a career-high mark.

Form: 826-241

Quarenta²¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| D

22/1

Has shown some quirks but proved better than ever when scoring on Ascot reappearance last season. Mixed record after but has dipped below last winning mark ahead of return.

Form: 7B/193-P

Hurricane Harvey^p,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| BF

11/2

Useful hurdler who improved on that when sent chasing last season, winning twice, and stepped up on return when third in Badger Beer at Wincanton. Stamina will be tested here, however.

Form: 21P8-43

Commodore³⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132WS

7/1

Produced a career best when a narrow second at Haydock on last season's return and in the process of running well when departing in this last year. Lost way after but goes well fresh.

Form: 4P/2U9P-

Court Master^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick| T: M Scudamore| OR: 128

12/1

Twice a winner last season and left reappearance well behind when second at Newbury 2 weeks ago. Up against it from 5 lb out of the handicaps.

Form: 4610-P2

Non-Runners

Potters Legend²³

Weight: 10-0| Age: 11

T: L Wadham J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Enrilo (11/4), Mister Fogpatches (5/1), Hurricane Harvey (11/2), Santini (6/1), Commodore (7/1), Court Master (12/1), Rocco (12/1), Fagan (12/1), Potters Legend (14/1), Quarenta (22/1)

ENRILO was shaping well before coming down in the Ladbrokes Trophy on return and remains on a competitive mark having finished first past the post in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April. Commodore has a good record fresh and went well in this last year, while Santini is a fascinating runner switched to a handicap for a new yard.