12:45 Cheltenham

Sunday 1 January 2023

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

AIS Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:47 | Winning time: 7m 7.91s

Farinet²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 145

9/2

Ex-French chaser who scored impressively after 9 months off in 10-runner handicap chase at Chepstow (23.6f) 29 days ago by 8 lengths from Secret Reprieve, heavily eased down. Up 10 lb but still a big player.

Form: 1/P15P-1

Itchy Feet^p⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 145

10/1

Very smart chaser at his best but it's now twelve runs since last win in 2020. Had wind op before coming in last of 4 at Haydock (21.6f) 43 days ago so more is needed with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 224PP-4

The Wolf^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 138

11/1

Strong stayer who got back on track when second on his 25f Cheltenham reappearance in October. Ran poorly in Becher at Aintree last month so needs to get back on track but could well do so having been second in this 12 months ago.

Form: 4227-20

Easysland^p⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137| C

40/1

On a good mark judged on his cross-country exploits (winner of the Glenfarclas Chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival) but has failed to shine in 5 starts for Jonjo O'Neill and now has a fair bit to prove.

Form: 2/PPPP-0

Spiritofthegames^b1²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

7/1

Regular in competitive handicaps and posted a good second of 8 in handicap chase here (26f) 23 days ago, just failing. Blinkers on 1st time and holds solid claims.

Form: 335-262

Rapper^p1⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 137

8/1

Winner of 25f handicaps at Catterick and Wincanton last season and got back on song when third of 10 in handicap chase at Haydock (25.6f) 43 days ago, running on late. Shortlisted with cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 2110-93

Secret Reprieve²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 134

8/1

Won the Welsh Grand National in 2020/21 season. Lightly raced since but recorded a good second of 10 to Farinet in handicap chase back at Chepstow (23.6f) 29 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 11/5P-92

Java Point^t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: T R George| OR: 133

11/2

Winning hurdler for Kim Bailey who also won 3 times over fences last season for current yard. Resumed with good third of 10 in handicap chase at Newbury (22.4f) 36 days ago so needs considering.

Form: 21311-3

Poppa Poutine^t1⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

5/1

Useful winning chaser who comes here on the back of a good second of 9 in handicap chase at Haydock (28.4f) 43 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 124-352

Cap Du Nord³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 128

7/1

Landed valuable 3m handicap chase at Kempton in February. Unsuited by way race developed when fifth of 10 in handicap chase at Newbury (22.4f) 36 days ago so he can make his presence felt.

Form: 1P5-535

Minella Bobo²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 120

40/1

Low-mileage 9-y-o who made all at Ffos Las (3m) in May 2021 but has been well below par since, falling 2nd in Becher at Aintree last time. Others are much preferred.

Form: 5/17-0PF

Non-Runners

Found On⁵³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: M Keighley J: David Bass

Switch Hitter²³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: P F Nicholls J: H Cobden

Forecasts

Farinet (9/2), Poppa Poutine (5/1), Java Point (11/2), Spiritofthegames (7/1), Cap Du Nord (7/1), Rapper (8/1), Secret Reprieve (8/1), Itchy Feet (10/1), Found On (10/1), The Wolf (11/1), Switch Hitter (14/1), Minella Bobo (40/1), Easysland (40/1)

FARINET took his form up a level when an impressive reappearance scorer at Chepstow and can make light of a 10 lb hike in the weights to follow up. Secret Reprieve chased home Venetia Williams' ex-French chaser that day and is feared most ahead of Cap du Nord and Spiritofthegames.