16:10 Cheltenham

Thursday 16 March 2023

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Magners Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 5m 16.6s

Haut En Couleurs²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽³⁾| T: W P Mullins| OR: 157| BF

15/2

Very smart chaser who fell in Kinloch Brae Chase in January (looked likely winner) and no disgrace in losing out to stablemate Janidil in Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran 26 days ago. Jumping looked assured then and he remains relatively low mileage so not discounted despite big weight.

Form: F6-54F2

Two For Gold^v1¹³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 156| D

80/1

Returned better than ever last winter, successful in handicaps at Doncaster/Lingfield prior to a gallant second behind Fakir D'oudairies in Gr 1 Ascot Chase. Not at best over National fences on return in November but freshened up since and visor now goes on.

Form: U/112P-5

Stolen Silver^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 154| BF| CD

40/1

Good fourth in this race 12 months ago and ended campaign with success in Silver Trophy here in April. Unseated in Paddy Power on return but right back to best when second in C&D handicap won by Midnight River on New Year's Day. Rare poor effort at Warwick latest but mark may just be right now.

Form: 341-U2P

Midnight River⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 152| CD

15/2

Useful novice hurdler who gained second chase success at Stratford (19.5f) in October prior to a cracking third in the Paddy Power here in November. Stepped up again when gamely landing valuable C&D handicap on New Year's Day and this low-mileage sort is worth a look from his revised mark.

Form: 1P3-131

Escaria Ten^b⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: G Elliott| OR: 151

50/1

Very smart chaser on his day and shaped well when second on return in listed chase at Thurles in December. Finishing effort left a lot to be desired having looked a big threat when seventh Thyestes Chase since and others make more appeal now dropped back in trip.

Form: P/829-27

Fugitif^t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: R Hobson| OR: 149| BF

11/1

Looks more mature this season, barely coming off the bridle when landing 12-runner Chepstow handicap (19.5f) over Christmas. Hit with a 10 lb hike but ran another cracker when runner-up behind Il Ridoto over C&D since, held final 100 yd but clear of rest. Expected to give another good account.

Form: 448-212

Il Ridoto^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146| CD

7/1

Useful novice chaser who was threatening another big performance and duly delivered (in first-time cheekpieces) when taking 16-runner C&D handicap on Trials Day. This understandably demands more from an 8 lb higher mark but entitled to be thereabouts again.

Form: 383-441

Datsalrightgino^p1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 145| C

5/1

Improved model sent chasing, off the mark at Chepstow (2m) in November. Ran a cracker when runner-up in Timeform Novices' Handicap here in January and backed that up when filling same spot in Gr 2 Pendil at Kempton. Interesting returned to handicap company.

Form: 213422

Embittered^t⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Shane Fitzgerald⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 145| BF

66/1

Dual winner over fences who only narrowly failed to justify strong support at Cork (16.7f) in November. However, not in same form at Leopardstown (17f) over Christmas and his jumping a cause for concern back in this ultra-competitive scenario. Back up in trip.

Form: 7-38726

War Lord^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 144

25/1

Smart novice chaser last term, winning 3 times alongside a trio of in-the-frame efforts in Grade 1 company. Low-key efforts first 2 starts this term but latest Wetherby second in less competitive affair was a step back in right direction from easing mark.

Form: 142-3P2

Coole Cody⁴⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 143| CD

28/1

Tremendous servant to connections (3-time C&D winner) who proved better than ever aged 11 when landing this race from a 2 lb higher mark 12 months ago. Hasn't made an impact either side of success in 2-runner Ascot Grade 2 in November and he needs to raise his game again.

Form: 3-7P150

So Scottish¹¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Mullins| OR: 143| BF

11/2

6-y-o who really found his feet during second half of last year, building on his maiden hurdle victory to land back-to-back novice chases at around 20f. Career-best display when second behind Boothill on handicap debut at Ascot in November and kept fresh by shrewd yard ahead of this. Big player.

Form: 021112

Seddon⁷⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 143| C| D

20/1

Firmly back on track for present yard, successful over hurdles here (19.9f) in October and justified good support to follow up in convincing fashion over fences at Leopardstown (21f, soft) over Christmas. Much higher mark to defy back on these shores, though.

Form: 8F2311

Marvel De Cerisy^t⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

7/1

6-y-o who confirmed promise of chase debut when running out good winner of a Punchestown novice (19.7f) in November. Not seen to best effect when distant third at Fairyhouse the following month and he goes handicapping on back of a break with potential remaining firmly intact.

Form: 2-16F13

Champagne Gold^p,t¹⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

33/1

Off the mark over fences in maiden company at Wexford (20f) last summer and stepped up on that effort when hitting frame next 2 starts, latterly when second here (19.7f) in October, rallying having been outpaced home turn. This understandably tougher, however. Yard also saddle Marvel de Cerisy.

Form: 09-4132

Shakem Up'arry^t⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 139| BF

16/1

Proved better than ever (tongue tied) when making winning return at Exeter (19.2f) in December and looked very much at home in this company when fifth behind Midnight River over C&D on New Year's Day, possibly making move sooner than ideal. Worth a second look from this mark.

Form: 1323-15

Mars Harper^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

50/1

Useful, dual winner over hurdles who has taken well to chasing, again finding only one too good at Leopardstown (21.4f) 11 days ago. Yard's runners always command respect here but he disappointed in the Coral Cup 12 months ago.

Form: 322492

Gevrey^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| D

125/1

Bagged third chase success at Limerick (19.5f) in October and finished creditable fourth despite seeming to find drop in trip against him when fourth at Down Royal (16.5f) in November. Absent since running below best at Gowran later that month and mark probably high enough in race of this nature.

Form: 743145

Hereditary Rule^t¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 136| D

50/1

Took well to chasing last year, gaining third small-field victory in Cartmel novice (21f) in August. Cashed in off much lower hurdles mark at Downpatrick next time and he ran with credit when third over 2½m here in November. However, this tougher again.

Form: 242113

Celebre D'Allen^p⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

40/1

Returned from a long absence with a bang last season, winning 3 handicaps (2 hurdle, 1 chase) and fine fifth in this race from 6 lb higher mark. Not disgraced without threatening in trio of starts this time around and this 11-y-o is likely to find a few too strong.

Form: 115-434

Frero Banbou⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135

14/1

Largely acquitted himself with credit last term, successful over 2m at Lingfield and good third in Grand Annual thereafter. Solid second on return at Ascot (16.7f) in October and shaped as though this greater emphasis on stamina was worth exploring in trio of starts since.

Form: 39-2434

Born By The Sea¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 135

150/1

Useful handicap chaser at his best who has failed to figure (albeit faced with some stiff tasks) in trio of starts so far this winter. Well held tenth in this race 12 months ago and likely set for another struggle this time around.

Form: 235305

Bowtogreatness²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: K Brogan| T: B Pauling| OR: 133| D

100/1

Dual novice hurdle winner (at around 2½m) and better form when twice placed over fences earlier this term. Overfaced in Grade 1 company next time but latest run at Warwick best overlooked having been hampered early. Still, others may be better treated in this field.

Form: 10-235P

Non-Runners

Captain Tom Cat¹⁰⁴

Weight: 10-4| Age: 8

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Charlie Hammond

Forecasts

Datsalrightgino (5/1), So Scottish (11/2), Il Ridoto (7/1), Marvel De Cerisy (7/1), Haut En Couleurs (15/2), Midnight River (15/2), Fugitif (11/1), Frero Banbou (14/1), Shakem Up'arry (16/1), Seddon (20/1), War Lord (25/1), Coole Cody (28/1), Champagne Gold (33/1), Celebre D'Allen (40/1), Stolen Silver (40/1), Hereditary Rule (50/1), Mars Harper (50/1), Captain Tom Cat (50/1), Escaria Ten (50/1), Embittered (66/1), Two For Gold (80/1), Bowtogreatness (100/1), Gevrey (125/1), Born By The Sea (150/1)

Plenty arrive with claims, the most compelling coming in the shape of low-mileage 6-y-o SO SCOTTISH. Representing a very shrewd yard that landed this race 2 years ago with The Shunter, he's been kept fresh since running a fine race when second at Ascot back in November and his revised mark could well underestimate him back up in trip. Midnight River and Datsalrightgino are a couple of likely threats, with Shakem Up'arry and Il Ridoto completing the shortlist.