15:50 Cheltenham

Wednesday 19 April 2023

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

Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 44.43s

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 145| D

18/1

Patchy form during the last couple of seasons but he's smart when on-song and made an encouraging return when second to subsequent Coral Gold Cup winner Le Milos at Bangor in November. Back on track when runner-up at Carlisle last time and he merits consideration.

Form: P4-P272

Mister Malarky^p⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 145| BF

17/2

Bounced back to form tried in veterans' company when runner-up at Exeter in February, but failed to build on the promise of that run when only third of 5 in a similar event at Newton Abbot the following month. Capable if he's on a going day.

Form: 022-P23

Chambard^p⁶⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137| CD

40/1

Ended last season in the form of his life, completing a hat-trick when landing the Kim Muir Chase over this C&D at the Festival. However, has struggled in a trio of starts this term. Cheekpieces now back on.

Form: 111-PU4

Definite Plan^p⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 135| C

17/2

Made a winning handicap chase debut at this course (3m1f) in October last season. Went the wrong way from that effort on his next 4 outings, but after 4 months off bounced back when runner-up in veterans' event at Navan last month. Needs to build on that.

Form: 10PP-P2

Hidden Heroics^p,t1⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| BF| C

13/2

Dual winner over hurdles who landed a pair of small-field handicaps at Exeter and this course (25.2f) on his first 2 starts over fences. After 3 months off, finished down the field at Ludlow last month, so needs to get back on track in first-time tongue tie.

Form: 2-1P115

Anightinlambourn³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 134| C

9/1

Took sizeable steps forward over fences during second half of last year, making it 3 wins from 4 starts when successful here (25f) at the November Meeting. Done no favours at the start when pulled up in the Kim Muir last month, so could resume her progress.

Form: 71121P

Captain Cattistock^p,t⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| CD

9/2

Ended last season on a high, bagging victories in Edinburgh National/over this C&D. Seen only 3 times during the current campaign, turning in another solid display when runner-up in first-named race on latest outing. Respected.

Form: P11-342

Java Point^p1,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: T R George| OR: 132

15/2

Developed into a better chaser for current yard last season, winning 3 times. Good placed efforts first 2 outings this term and soon back to form when third of 6 at Ludlow in March. Can give his running again with cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 11-3263

Percussion^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 128| BF| D

15/2

Revitalised by cheekpieces/tongue strap last spring and good start to this season when placed in both the Grand Sefton and Becher Chase over the National fences at Aintree. Creditable third at Wetherby (21.3f) last time, so he can be thereabouts back up in trip.

Form: 123353

Jimmy The Digger⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁷⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 127| C

13/2

Made a winning return when staying on strongly to land amateurs' handicap here (25f) back in October. Good efforts when in the frame next 2 starts and would have been placed but for a late blunder at Uttoxeter last time. Can resume winning ways.

Form: 22-1427

Risk And Roll^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 124

13/2

Temperamental sort but not disgraced when sixth of 12 in 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter in February. In refitted cheekpieces, ran as well as could be expected over hurdles when ninth in the Pertemps Final here last month. Others preferred returned to chasing.

Form: 3-23869

Non-Runners

Poppa Poutine²⁴

Weight: 10-8| Age: 7

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Captain Cattistock (9/2), Risk And Roll (13/2), Hidden Heroics (13/2), Jimmy The Digger (13/2), Java Point (15/2), Percussion (15/2), Definite Plan (17/2), Mister Malarky (17/2), Anightinlambourn (9/1), Poppa Poutine (12/1), Lord Du Mesnil (18/1), Chambard (40/1)

JIMMY THE DIGGER has shown improved form this season and could still have more to offer at staying trips, so he is taken to resume his progress and gain a second course win. The 10-y-o can see off the challenge of the consistent Captain Cattistock, with Lord du Mesnil completing the shortlist.