14:05 Cheltenham

Wednesday 13 April 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 5m 8.19s

Simply The Betts⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 154| CD

7/2

Major improver over fences during 2019/20 season, winning Plate Handicap over C&D at the Festival, and looked better than ever when runner-up off 153 in Grade 3 handicap over C&D on New Year's Day. Not at best in Cotswold Chase here since but type to bounce back.

Form: 1/6-6P25

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Coole Cody²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 152| CD

10/3

Admirably tough front runner who looked better than ever at the age of 11 when winning the C&D Plate at the Festival last month, rallying in tremendous fashion to land his third valuable Cheltenham handicap in the last 2 seasons. Career-high mark to deal with now up 7 lb but must be respected.

Form: 2F1871

Espoir De Guye²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 148| D

12/1

Returned in style after a wind op with ready win in 3-runner handicap chase at Warwick (20f) in February. Went with little zest in a more competitive race away from the mud at Kempton since, however, and stable going through a quiet spell.

Form: 1842-16

Amoola Gold^p³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 146

33/1

Smart chaser who was a narrow winner off this mark at Ascot on return but arrives here on the back of a poor run at Newbury and record here isn't great.

Form: 126438

Stolen Silver^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 143

11/5

Made a winning start for Sam Thomas at Market Rasen and best efforts since have come around here, including when 8¼ lengths fourth of 15 to Coole Cody in C&D handicap at the Festival last month, plugging on. 1 lb lower now and 8 lb better off with Coole Cody.

Form: 8-12434

Manofthemountain²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| CD

5/1

Generally progressive and posted another solid run when eighth in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (20.2f) in November. Failed to meet expectations back from a break at Kempton last month but was a good winner of this last season off 5 lb lower.

Form: P21-288

Torpillo²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140

10/1

Useful hurdler who made a winning chase debut at Warwick in 2019. Showed he retains all his ability on second start back from a long lay-off when runner-up at Sandown and went one better in 4-runner event at Wincanton. This much more competitive, however, and still has to prove stamina at this trip.

Form: 450/821

Non-Runners

Cheddleton³⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: J Candlish J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Stolen Silver (11/5), Coole Cody (10/3), Simply The Betts (7/2), Manofthemountain (5/1), Cheddleton (7/1), Torpillo (10/1), Espoir De Guye (12/1), Amoola Gold (33/1)

STOLEN SILVER was far from disgraced when fourth behind Coole Cody in the C&D Plate Handicap at the Festival last month and there's a good chance he can get the better of the gallant winner this time now 8 lb better off. That could well be enough to win this competitive handicap with Coole Cody a chief contender once again. It's probably best to forgive Simply The Betts's run in the Cotswold Chase and he is another serious player back from a break.