13:55 Cheltenham

Sunday 1 January 2023

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

Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 22.79s

Brave Seasca²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 155

17/2

12/1, career best when easily winning 13-runner handicap chase at Aintree (19.9f, good to soft) 29 days ago, plenty in hand. Makes plenty of appeal despite 9-lb rise.

Form: 1113F-1

Happygolucky³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 152| C| D

10/1

Useful hurdler and fine start over fences during 2020/21, runner-up in the Ultima here prior to success in Grade 3 handicap at Aintree. Missed last term but produced a most encouraging comeback run when third in last month's Rehearsal. Very much respected.

Form: 12121/3

Stolen Silver^t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 150| BF| CD

11/1

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 Betts⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CD

14/1

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 Lord⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 148

12/1

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

Lostintranslation^p,t³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Tizzard| OR: 147| CD

40/1

Top-class chaser at best (Betfair Chase winner and third in Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2019/20). Lost his way after an Ascot reappearance win last season but best not judged too harshly on last month's return in Coral Gold Cup (inconvenienced by standing start). Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 15P80-0

Midnight River⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| D

6/1

Useful novice hurdler who gained second victory from 5 starts in this sphere on return at Stratford and did well under the circumstances when a staying-on third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last time. Obvious claims from the same mark.

Form: 71P3-13

Fantastic Lady⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

12/1

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

Nassalam^p1⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 142

8/1

5-y-o who enjoyed a good first season over fences, taking Newbury Grade 2 and ending campaign with success at Fontwell (19.5f) in February. Not seen to best effect faced with a big field for the first time over fences when sixth in the Paddy Power here last month and now has cheekpieces on.

Form: 1221-56

Demachine^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 140

20/1

Low-mileage 8-y-o who gained third victory over fences following second breathing op at Uttoxeter in May. Solid showing at Newbury last time and remains unexposed at this sort of trip.

Form: 2/5U0-12

Il Ridoto^t⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

8/1

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. Merits plenty of respect.

Form: 1P383-4

Shakem Up'arry^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 139

11/2

Lightly-raced chaser who, like several from his yard, returned better than ever when landing an 11-runner event at Exeter a month ago. Has the potential to do better still.

Form: U1323-1

Eden Du Houx^p,t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 133

33/1

Benefited from a return to chasing when putting up a career best to win handicap chase (3/1) at Ffos Las (19.4f, soft) 37 days ago, easily. This is more competitive but he deserves respect.

Form: 85-3881

Jacamar^v1³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: M F Harris| OR: 132| D

28/1

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 Splash⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 132| BF

8/1

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 2 months ago. One to note.

Form: 22/332-3

Deyrann de Carjac^p⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 128| D

25/1

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 here. Not discounted.

Form: 5F36-25

Non-Runners

Sebastopol³⁷

Weight: 11-6| Age: 9

T: T Lacey J: Stan Sheppard

Forecasts

Shakem Up'arry (11/2), Midnight River (6/1), Nassalam (8/1), Il Ridoto (8/1), Coconut Splash (8/1), Brave Seasca (17/2), Happygolucky (10/1), Stolen Silver (11/1), Fantastic Lady (12/1), War Lord (12/1), Simply The Betts (14/1), Demachine (20/1), Deyrann de Carjac (25/1), Sebastopol (25/1), Jacamar (28/1), Eden Du Houx (33/1), Lostintranslation (40/1)

BRAVE SEASCA resumed progress in emphatic fashion at Aintree 29 days ago and his smooth-travelling style will lend itself to this race so he takes preference over Midnight River, who shaped so well in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Il Ridoto and Stolen Silver also merit consideration in what looks a fiercely-competitive renewal.