12:10 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 January 2023

All11:4012:1012:4013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 2  |   2m 4f 127y  |   Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |   11 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 12:13  |   Winning time: 5m 15.1s
The word Sky in blue and Bet in white with a red background.
The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Stage Star26
Age: 7|  Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  142| D
11/4
Challow Hurdle winner last season who boasts pair novice chase victories, either side of finishing runner-up in a Newbury Grade 2 in November. More on his plate now pitched into a competitive-looking handicap under top weight but further progress is a distinct possibility.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Fern Hill32
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR:  140| D
18/1
Won twice over hurdles and runner-up 4 times over fences prior to deservedly getting his head in front in a Uttoxeter handicap chase (22.5f) in November. Put in his place off this mark at Kempton next time, though, and a similar outcome is likely here.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Unexpected Partyt131
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR:  140| BF| D
11/1
Progressive hurdler last season and promising start over fences when chasing home McFabulous on return at Exeter. Shade disappointing that he failed to land the odds in a 2½m Leicester novice last time but it's still early days and he remains of interest. Tongue strap applied.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
Datsalrightgino30
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR:  138| C
12/1
Fairly useful hurdler who opened his chase account at the second attempt in a 2m Chepstow novice handicap. Below par at Doncaster last time but it could be that moving back up in trip here will help and he's certainly not without a chance.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Llandinabo Lad38
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: T Symonds| OR:  131| BF
16/1
Useful hurdler who has made an encouraging start in this sphere, looking a tad laboured for a while but finding only a very promising 4-y-o too good in Hereford handicap (2m) on his latest start in December. Place possibilities with this step back up in trip a potentially good move.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Any News33
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: N P Mulholland| OR:  131
33/1
Bumper/maiden hurdle winner who went close starting out over fences at Warwick on his reappearance last season. However, he was beaten a long way when returning from 12 months off at Wetherby on Boxing Day and now has a bit to prove.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
Malinellot28
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-3| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR:  131| D
8/1
Quickly made into a fairly useful hurdler in 2020/21 and perfect start in this sphere after nearly 2 years off at Newcastle (23.4f) in November. By no means disgraced when third at Newbury since and merits respect for the yard that landed this race with Kildisart in 2019.
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Timeform
8
Horse silk
Panic Attackb,t33
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR:  130| C
8/1
Three-time hurdles winner, including in a listed handicap here last spring, and made all in 3-runner novice chase at Huntingdon (2½m) on debut over fences. Performed to a similar level when third at Kempton last month and will need to raise her game if she's to land this prize.
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Timeform
9
Horse silk
Iamastarp1,t171
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-1| J: Mr D Maxwell(3)| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR:  133
100/1
Useful chaser for David Cottin in France last term who changed hands for €110,000 last spring. However, well held on return/debut for new yard at Ascot and opposable here, for all that he's been eased 5 lb.
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Timeform
10
Horse silk
Dalamoi32
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR:  129| BF| D
9/2
Real chasing type who created an excellent impression when scoring on debut in this sphere at Kempton (20.5f). Followed that with a good effort in defeat at Chepstow and, provided his confidence hasn't been dented by an early fall last time, he should have a big part to play.
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Timeform
11
Horse silk
Fire Dancer22
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR:  120
9/2
Fair hurdler/chaser in France for Guillaume Macaire and improved when making a winning start for this yard on the back of a lengthy absence in a handicap chase at Ludlow (2½m). 6 lb rise fair enough and very much of interest here with the likelihood of better to come.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Stage Star (11/4), Dalamoi (9/2), Fire Dancer (9/2), Panic Attack (8/1), Malinello (8/1), Unexpected Party (11/1), Datsalrightgino (12/1), Llandinabo Lad (16/1), Fern Hill (18/1), Any News (33/1), Iamastar (100/1)

Verdict

Several of these are open to improvement, not least FIRE DANCER, who overcame a 27-month absence when scoring on his first start for Venetia Williams at Ludlow where he produced an accurate round of jumping. The 7-y-o is very appealing off a light weight for a yard that has landed this race 3 times in the past. Dalamoi is next on the list, albeit only marginally as both Malinello and Stage Star merit serious consideration, too.

Previous Winners

2022
Imperial Alcazar
Weight: 11-12  |Age: 8
9/1

Prize Money

1st: £15,609.002nd: £7,176.003rd: £3,588.004th: £1,794.005th: £897.006th: £447.00

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