13:50 Cheltenham

Saturday 10 December 2022

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

AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 150| BF| CD

Did well over C&D last spring, fourth in Plate handicap at the Festival prior to running out an impressive winner of the Silver Trophy in April. Yet to be asked for effort when unseating 3 out in Paddy Power Gold Cup here on reappearance. Worth another chance.

Form: 24341-U

Simply The Betts²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CD

Won the Plate handicap at the Festival in 2020 and more good efforts here last term, including 11 lengths second to Stolen Silver in Silver Trophy over C&D final start. Respectable seventh of 14 in Paddy Power Gold Cup on reappearance.

Form: 6P252-7

War Lord³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 148

Took very well to fences last term, winning 3 times and also fourth to Edwardstone in the Arkle at the Festival here. Below-form third of 5 in Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on reappearance but he could be sharper for the run.

Form: 12142-3

Cheddleton²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 146

Smart chaser. Mostly creditable efforts last season and a sound return to action over hurdles at Haydock last month. That sets him up nicely for this return to fences. Could go well.

Form: 32243-3

Sole Pretender^h²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁵⁾| T: N Lee| OR: 145

Smart Irish hurdler/chaser who scored twice in this sphere in early summer and has been third in a couple of 2m course novices this autumn (Grade 2 latterly). Won around this trip earlier in his career.

Form: 126333

Frero Banbou²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 141

Took his form up a notch last season, scoring at Lingfield (2m) and third in the Grand Annual at the Festival here. Also a good second on Ascot reappearance but only a respectable fourth back there since. Steps up in trip now.

Form: 1239-24

Fern Hill²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 140| D

Won twice over hurdles and runner-up 4 times over fences prior to deservedly getting his head in front in a handicap at Uttoxeter (22.5f, soft) last month. 7 lb rise means he'll need a big career best to follow up.

Form: 2252-21

Fantastic Lady³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140

Useful chaser who arrives on the back of a reappearance win in 3m Market Rasen listed mares' chase last month. This demands more of her again but certainly not discounted.

Form: 6113U-1

Il Ridoto^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

Useful novice chaser last term and shaped well when 5 lengths fourth of 14 in Paddy Power Gold Cup here on his reappearance 4 weeks ago. Much respected for a top stable seeking a fourth win in this since 2012.

Form: 1P383-4

Kauto Riko^b,t²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 134

Has drawn a blank since a 3m Kelso listed success in February 2020. Off 5 months, should be sharper for a run in a course veterans' chase 4 weeks ago but bit of a surprise were he to snap his losing run in a race like this. First preference 2.05 Doncaster.

Form: P453-U5

Fugitif^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: R Hobson| OR: 133

Hurdles winner who gained second chase success at Newcastle (2m) in January. Creditable reappearance second of 8 over 2m here last month. That form has been boosted by the winner going in again but he's been below par on both previous attempts over this trip.

Form: P1448-2

Jacamar^v1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris| OR: 132| D

Dual winner around this trip last term but he's been operating below his best so far this season, again not seeing his race out when sixth of 10 at Newbury latest. First-time visor needs to help with his finishing effort.

Form: 142-496

Coconut Splash⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 132| BF

Maiden hurdle winner who has shown useful form in defeat over fences, running close to his best when 4 lengths third of 7 in 19f Wetherby handicap on his reappearance 6 weeks ago. Yard won this race last year.

Form: 22/332-3

Storm Control^t,v1²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 132| C

Dual course winner (over further) who added to tally at Newbury (3m) last winter. Shaped better than result under an aggressive ride when 16 lengths eighth of 14 in Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month, fading only from the last. First-time visor on, blinkers off. First preference 2.05 Doncaster.

Form: 2PP-358

Deyrann de Carjac^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 128| D

Smart novice chaser in 2019/20. Seemingly not the force of old but handicap mark reflects that and he's run 2 sound races this season, narrowly denied at Wetherby before fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Form: 5F36-25

Forecasts

Il Ridoto (4/1), Stolen Silver (6/1), War Lord (7/1), Frero Banbou (15/2), Fantastic Lady (15/2), Coconut Splash (10/1), Fugitif (10/1), Deyrann de Carjac (12/1), Sole Pretender (12/1), Simply The Betts (12/1), Fern Hill (16/1), Cheddleton (20/1), Storm Control (25/1), Jacamar (33/1), Kauto Riko (50/1)

STOLEN SILVER still looked to have running in him when unseating at the third last in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month and is given another chance as he still looks on a decent mark based on his Silver Trophy win here in the spring. Il Ridoto shaped well in fourth in the Paddy Power and Paul Nicholls has a good record in this race so he's an obvious danger. Cheddleton is an each-way player at likely bigger odds.