13:25 Cheltenham

Saturday 1 January 2022

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:50

Paddy Power Novices' Chase (Registered As The Dipper Novices' Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 5m 22.63s

Gladiateur Allen¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Chester Williams| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 136

33/1

Fairly useful hurdler who showed improved form to land 6-runner Exeter novice chase (19.2f) last month, leading line. Undone by mistakes in Ascot Grade 2 since and this another tough enough ask.

Form: 63-3814

L'Homme Presse¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 148| D

7/4

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who has made a most promising start over fences, readily making it 2-2 in an Ascot Graduation Chase (21f) 2 weeks ago. Had plenty in hand then and sound claims up in grade.

Form: 52/16-11

Come On Teddy²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 138| C

7/1

Useful staying handicap hurdler who made perfect start over fences when taking a novices' handicap at Uttoxeter (20f) last month. Likely to do better again, including back over further.

Form: 41336-1

Fantastikas²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140

14/1

Scopey sort who improved on fairly useful hurdles form to score on return/handicap chase debut at Lingfield (23.5f) in November. Not disgraced in Doncaster Grade 2 since and he may do better still.

Form: 2213-12

Millers Bank³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 149

4/1

Smart hurdler who scored impressively in novice at Huntingdon on chasing debut. Set to follow up when unseating 2 out in Grade 2 at Newbury since, so well worth a second look.

Form: 1213-1U

Oscar Elite^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| BF

14/1

Useful hurdler who was firmly in the mix when coming to grief 3 out on return/chase debut here (24.3f) in November. Not in same form at Huntingdon (23.6f) since but far too soon to write him off.

Form: 9323-F3

Zurekin^t1³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 135

125/1

Useful hurdler who ran respectably when runner-up over 20f in this sphere in France in October. However, below best over hurdles more recently.

Form: 4-23667

The Glancing Queen²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 142| C| D

3/1

Likeable mare who has impressed over fences this term, making it 2-2 in a listed mares' event at Warwick (20f) last month. Well worth her place at this higher level and considered.

Form: 3125-11

Non-Runners

Gallyhill⁵²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

L'Homme Presse (7/4), The Glancing Queen (3/1), Millers Bank (4/1), Come On Teddy (7/1), Fantastikas (14/1), Oscar Elite (14/1), Gallyhill (20/1), Gladiateur Allen (33/1), Zurekin (125/1)

A low-mileage 7-y-o L'HOMME PRESSE has made an excellent start over fences, maintaining his 100% record with plenty to spare at Ascot (21f) on his latest start in December. He gets the nod to continue the good work now tackling this higher grade. Millers Bank looked set to score at Newbury on his latest start and is feared, along with the likeable The Glancing Queen.