14:10 Cheltenham

Friday 21 October 2022

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

squareintheair.com Novices' Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 3m 58.9s

Ash Tree Meadow^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| D

2/1

Rapid improver over fences this summer, completing hat-trick in small-field Killarney novice prior to big effort when fourth in Galway Plate (22.5f) in July. Good second in Tipperary Grade 3 earlier this month and well worth considering here back down in trip.

Form: 311142

Byzantine Empire^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| D

22/1

Largely consistent hurdler who landed pair of small field handicap chase events (at around 2m) this summer. Progress has stalled subsequently though and this rates a tough enough ask on these terms.

Form: 33-1122

Sole Pretender^h²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Simon Torrens| T: N Lee| OR: 150| D

7/1

Smart hurdler/chaser who dispelled his Galway blip (reportedly bled) when third in 7-runner Grade 3 at Roscommon (2m) 25 days ago. A repeat gives him claims but he may lack the potential of one or two in this line up.

Form: 5-11263

Noahthirtytwored^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West| OR: 119| D

100/1

Progressive hurdler this year, winning four handicaps at around 2m. Creditable effort on Flat in August and quickly back to winning ways on chasing bow at Newton Abbot 5 weeks ago, seeing off Byzantine Empire by 4 lengths. This is a much sterner assignment.

Form: 311171

Straw Fan Jack¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 136| D

5/2

Fairly useful hurdler (winless last term) but built for chasing and impressed in making a successful start on return in a Ffos Las novices' handicap (2m) 12 days ago. That may not have took a whole lot of winning but he's open to improvement nevertheless.

Form: 6P247-1

Jetoile^h¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: R Potter| OR: 131

11/2

Won novice hurdles at Chepstow and Leicester before chasing Constitution Hill home in the Tolworth last year. Good second at Newcastle final start and plenty to like about his second behind Aucunrisque on chasing bow at Uttoxeter (2m) 3 weeks ago. Player with improvement likely.

Form: 11202-2

Uhtred⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

11/2

Useful hurdler who ended time with Joseph O'Brien in good heart, successful over hurdles at Downpatrick in August prior to following up in a beginners' chase at that venue later that month. Joined another top yard but this is a tougher assignment.

Form: 6F3-411

Non-Runners

Aucunrisque¹⁹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: C Gordon J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Ash Tree Meadow (2/1), Straw Fan Jack (5/2), Aucunrisque (3/1), Jetoile (11/2), Uhtred (11/2), Sole Pretender (7/1), Byzantine Empire (22/1), Noahthirtytwored (100/1)

A good quality novice with the vote in favour of ASH TREE MEADOW. Already a 3-time winner over fences this year, he's fared well in defeat more recently, not least when fourth in the Galway Plate on his penultimate start. This drop back in trip will hold no fears and he can put his greater experience to good use. Jetoile in receipt of 5 lb from his Uttoxeter conqueror Aucunrisque is feared, as is Chris Gordon's charge. Sole Pretender completes the shortlist.