13:55 Cheltenham

Saturday 29 January 2022

All12:1512:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:56 | Winning time: 5m 17.05s

Magic Saint^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| C

8/1

Course winner who took a step back in right direction fitted in headgear when fourth in similar event here on New Year's Day, though again shaping as if this trip stretches him. Becoming well treated.

Form: 5P2-754

Coole Cody²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 147| BF| CD

5/1

Tough front runner who has bagged a couple of similar events around here, including Racing Post Gold Cup last month. Not in same form here on New Year's Day but type to bounce back.

Form: 44-2F18

Whatmore⁴²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 140| BF| D

9/1

Proved a useful and consistent novice chaser last season and took his form to a new level when runner-up in 2 good quality handicaps at Ascot and Newcastle this term. Another bold showing expected.

Form: 4344/22-

Gaelik Coast²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 138WS

20/1

Good record at Musselburgh but has struggled when tackling more competitive handicaps. Others preferred.

Form: 30-2183

Spiritofthegames^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

7/1

Regular in competitive handicaps and finished with running left when mid-field in the Paddy Power here. Easy enough to excuse next 2 starts and went close in this 2 years ago off 149. No easy ride.

Form: 83-49P9

She'sasupermack²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 134

20/1

Useful chaser who showed no ill effect from her fall when resuming winning ways in 5-runner handicap at Ayr (3m). Shorter trip no issue but career-high mark may well be.

Form: 35-31F1

Jacamar^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: M F Harris| OR: 133| D

13/2

Useful hurdler and even better form over fences, going down only narrowly at Wincanton before going one better fitted with this headgear at Kempton, overcoming a mixed round of jumping. This tougher.

Form: 0-83221

Galahad Quest^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 132| C

6/1

Opened his account over fences at Haydock (20f) on final start last season and has returned in good nick, finishing fifth and sixth in similar events. No forlorn hope.

Form: 31-35F6

Torn And Frayed³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131

5/1

Dual hurdles winner last term who has made a promising start over fences, beaten only by My Drogo in C&D novice in November. Seemed unsuited by heavy ground at Haydock since.

Form: 13-322P

Eden Du Houx^b,t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 130

12/1

Useful hurdler who opened his account over fences on the back of a wind op in 2m Ffos Las handicap in November. Good second of 4 at Chepstow 10 weeks later and not taken lightly.

Form: 4P58-12

Non-Runners

Farinet²¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: Miss V Williams J: Miss Lucy Turner

Forecasts

Farinet (4/1), Torn And Frayed (5/1), Coole Cody (5/1), Galahad Quest (6/1), Jacamar (13/2), Spiritofthegames (7/1), Magic Saint (8/1), Whatmore (9/1), Eden Du Houx (12/1), Gaelik Coast (20/1), She'sasupermack (20/1)

FARINET had excuses when pulled up in the Racing Post Gold Cup here on return and looked one to keep on the right side of when resuming winning ways at Sandown. He gets the vote in a race lacking in progressive types. Spiritofthegames is no doubt hard to win with but he went close in this 2 years ago and is lurking on a dangerous mark, while Coole Cody has a good record in similar events here.