13:30 Cheltenham

Wednesday 19 April 2023

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

Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:32 | Winning time: 5m 13.41s

Cilaos Emery^h,t1²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 142

40/1

Smart chaser at best for Willie Mullins but didn't show much in hurdle event at Auteuil on yard debut after 14 months off. Went with far more zest back over fences without getting home under a positive ride at Kelso (26.2f, soft) last month and a tongue tie is now applied.

Form: 62-34P8

Caribean Boy^p⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142WS

28/1

Regained winning thread at Kempton (3m) in January 2022 but has a patchy record and ran no sort of race having undergone a breathing operation when pulled up over C&D in January. Has had another wind op since so arrives with plenty to prove.

Form: 0F1P-5P

Coole Cody³⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 140| CD

9/1

Tremendous servant to connections (3-time C&D winner) who won a match event in Ascot Grade 2 in November. Gave it a decent go bidding to win the Plate for a second successive year at the Festival last month and he could be involved from a sliding mark (well-beaten third in this last year).

Form: 7P1508

Herbiers^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 139

17/2

5-time winner over hurdles, latest at Newbury (16.3f) in November. Chasing debut was a washout but left that effort behind when going close over 2¼m at Kempton then duly went one better back at Newbury (19.8f, good) early last month. Could be more to come.

Form: 715521

Gemirande⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135

7/1

Ex-French recruit who is on the up for his current yard, doubling chase tally at Wetherby (2½m) in February and big effort when second in Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury just under 7 weeks ago, just failing. Unlikely he's reached his limit just yet.

Form: 2-21212

Heltenham^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

5/2

Ex-French bumper winner who has improved with each of his 5 runs over fences, having plenty up his sleeve when completing the hat-trick in a better class of handicap at Newbury (19.8f, soft) 25 days ago. Not yet finished progressing, so one to keep firmly onside.

Form: 2-22111

Presentandcounting¹⁹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 134| BF| D

18/1

Prolific over fences in 2021/22 campaign, winning 5 times in novice company. 4-time winner over timber last year, latest in 12-runner handicap at Worcester (20f) in September but only third when sent off favourite in Grade 2 Persian War when last seen 6 months ago. Tough to know what to expect.

Form: 121113

Unanswered Prayers^p⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: C Gordon| OR: 132| C| D

15/2

Had point experience and put that to good use on first start over fences when scoring over C&D in November. Disappointed at Newbury next time and unable to capitalise on the favourite's exit when fitted with cheekpieces in 3-runner event back there since (bled). Bit to prove.

Form: 12-5152

Super Six^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| BF

11/1

Dual bumper winner who was successful twice from 5 starts over hurdles last season and getting the hang of things over fences now, producing a career best when scoring at Haydock in February, jumping well and forging clear. A bad blunder halted him last time so he may well bounce back.

Form: 1-45314

Captain Tom Cat⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 128| CD

5/1

Developed into a pretty smart chaser in 2021/22, successful 4 times around this trip, including a Grade 2 at Wincanton. This season has been a bit of a write-off but stopped the slide from a much-reduced mark when runner-up at Plumpton (19.8f, soft) 9 days ago. Needs keeping an eye on.

Form: 27P762

Zhiguli²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 128| D

22/1

Bettered low-key reappearance effort (reportedly bled) with respectable efforts at Kempton/Sandown before resuming winning ways at latter track last month, jumping well out in front. Shaped as if still in good form when a well-beaten third to Heltenham at Newbury since but more needed.

Form: 9-P3513

Deyrann de Carjac^p¹⁰⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127| D

12/1

Smart novice chaser in 2019/20. Seemingly not the force of old but handicap mark reflects that and has now failed to reach the frame on all 6 tries in course handicaps at around this trip. Tough to win with so easy to look elsewhere.

Form: F36-258

Result Amended

Gemirande - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 3rd.

Super Six - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 2nd.

Forecasts

Heltenham (5/2), Captain Tom Cat (5/1), Gemirande (7/1), Unanswered Prayers (15/2), Herbiers (17/2), Coole Cody (9/1), Super Six (11/1), Deyrann de Carjac (12/1), Presentandcounting (18/1), Zhiguli (22/1), Caribean Boy (28/1), Cilaos Emery (40/1)

A long-standing and valuable handicap in which HELTENHAM gets the verdict to carry on his progression over the larger obstacles and bring up an impressive 4-timer for the in-form Dan & Harry Skelton team. The main danger could be Captain Tom Cat, who stopped the slide from a much-reduced mark under this rider when runner-up at Plumpton 9 days ago and could well build on that effort, while Super Six and Gemirande are another couple who need considering.