13:15 Cheltenham

Saturday 11 December 2021

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

Simon Claisse Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 4m 4.14s

Amoola Gold^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 152| D

17/2

Better than ever when landing listed Ascot handicap (16.7f) for second successive season in October and only just failed to follow up back there last month, having been outpaced 3 out. Claims again.

Form: 1228-12

Cheddleton³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 149| D

11/2

Much improved for switch to chasing, landing pair of novice events last term. Ran a cracker to finish close third on unfavourable terms on return at Carlisle last month and respected on handicap bow.

Form: 3/4113-3

Editeur Du Gite²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 147| CD

3/1

Bagged competitive Red Rum handicap on final start last term. In second when falling last on return at Ascot but proved better than ever when scoring over 15.9f here last month. Live player.

Form: 2P11-U1

Moonlighter³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Williams| OR: 144| D

22/1

Benefited from an attacking ride when successful at Sandown (15.5f) in February. However, pulled up both starts since, including in Haldon Gold Cup on return, typically jumping left.

Form: 2F51P-P

Torpillo^h⁶⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138| D

10/1

Useful hurdler who made all to score on chase debut at Warwick (2m) just over 2 years ago. Absent since finishing midfield in 2½m novices' handicap at the Festival in 2020 but gone well fresh before.

Form: 131450/

Bun Doran^p,t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 137| CD

9/1

Grade 2 winner 2 years ago. Largely struggled after but on the back of a wind op proved he retains ability when third to Editeur Du Gite here in November. Still, may be vulnerable to a couple again.

Form: 75P0-43

Frero Banbou¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 134| D

3/1

Progressive 6-y-o who ended last term with good fourth in Red Rum at Aintree and all the better for reappearance when third behind Il Ridoto over 2m Newbury 2 weeks ago. One to be interested in.

Form: 3314-43

Notre Pari³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 129

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler in 2019/20 who displayed promise in handful of chase tries last term. Finishing effort never matched the way he travelled on return at Carlisle (2½m) and drop back to 2m a plus.

Form: 1/6533-2

Forecasts

Editeur Du Gite (3/1), Frero Banbou (3/1), Cheddleton (11/2), Notre Pari (6/1), Amoola Gold (17/2), Bun Doran (9/1), Torpillo (10/1), Moonlighter (22/1)

A really intriguing handicap chase with a host holding claims, including FRERO BANBOU. He suggested he's coming to the boil when third behind a most progressive Paul Nicholls' 4-y-o at Newbury a couple of weeks ago and an even bigger effort can be expected here. Editeur du Gite produced a bold front-running display when scoring here last month and is feared, ahead of Notre Pari back at 2m.