13:30 Doncaster

Saturday 4 March 2023

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 2  |   2m 78y  |   Good  |   5 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 13:30  |   Winning time: 3m 56.98s
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The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Pay The Piper27
Age: 8|  Weight: 12-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR:  142| D
11/4
Useful over hurdles and quickly made up into an even better chaser last season. It took a few outings for him to recapture his best this winter but he was right back on song to win at Musselburgh (2m) last month. Should give another good account.
|
Timeform
2
Horse silk
Mackenberg21
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR:  141| C| D
5/1
Won his first 5 chase starts, the fifth success coming over 19f here in November. Wasn't at his best when a well-held third of 4 at Warwick last time but he's dipped to only 1 lb above the mark he scored from here. Fine at 2m.
|
Timeform
3
Horse silk
Xcitations17
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Mrs P Sly| OR:  140| BF| CD
10/3
Upped his game further this term with victories over C&D and at Sandown around the turn of the year. Behind a couple of today's rivals back here in January but he wasted no time returning to form when second (Hasankey third) at Wetherby 17 days ago. Ought to be very competitive again.
|
Timeform
4
Horse silk
Calicop,t21
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-9| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR:  137| D
11/4
Won a pair of novice hurdles in early-2021 and came good over fences in 2m Southwell handicap in January. Gave Jonbon a run for his money in a match race at Warwick since, although he was seen to maximum effect having briefly slipped clear. Only nudged up 1 lb for that. Player back in handicap.
|
Timeform
6
Horse silk
Gold Des Boist27
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR:  128| D
11/2
Started the season with back-to-back wins in 4-runner races at Kelso. Good third (Mackenberg fifth) in a competitive race over C&D in January and a bad mistake around halfway proved costly in the Musselburgh race won by Pay The Piper since (probably still in form).
|
Timeform

Non-Runners

5
Horse silk
Hasankey17
Weight: 11-7|  Age: 7
T: L Morgan  J: Lewis Dobb
NR

Forecasts

Calico (11/4), Pay The Piper (11/4), Xcitations (10/3), Mackenberg (5/1), Gold Des Bois (11/2), Hasankey (10/1)

Verdict

It's possible to make a case for all of these. A 6 lb rise for PAY THE PIPER's comfortable Musselburgh success doesn't look too severe so he's the suggestion. Calico and Xcitations may give him most to do.

  1. Calico11/4

Previous Winners

2022
Bun Doran
Weight: 10-9  |Age: 11
11/2

Prize Money

1st: £20,812.002nd: £9,568.003rd: £4,784.004th: £2,392.005th: £1,196.006th: £596.00

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