15:20 Cheltenham

Friday 27 October 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

2023 Thoroughbred Census Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 4m 54.65s

Ginny's Destiny²⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

9/2

Bumper scorer who quickly made up into a useful winning hurdler last term for Tom Lacey. Not at his best when a remote third in Huntingdon listed event on his final run but he's the sort to do well now starting out over fences for his new yard. Interesting.

Form: 21/4123-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Hurricane Bay¹⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham| OR: 133

7/1

Showed fair form in bumpers and upped his game when sent hurdling, scoring twice and also a fine third in the Grade 2 River Don at Doncaster in January. Much respected now going chasing.

Form: 1331P2-

Railway Hurricane^b,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 130| D

17/2

Scored at Tipperary in July and also a good second of 6 in handicap chase at Gowran (20f, heavy) 27 days ago. Unreliable sort overall though and has found less than seems likely in a finish.

Form: P-441P2

Moon Hunter¹⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: H D Daly| OR: 129| D

13/2

Winning pointer who landed first 2 starts over hurdles. Signed off last season with a creditable mid-field effort in 3m Aintree handicap hurdle in April and this winning pointer can't be ruled out on his chasing debut.

Form: 1/11P20-

Way Out⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: S Hosie| OR: 129| D

7/1

Irish point winner who has won his last 3 starts over hurdles from the front, latest in 2m2f Newton Abbot novice in September. A winning Irish pointer too so needs considering on his first go over fences.

Form: 285-111

Mr Saxobeat³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: T Gibney| OR: 129| D

25/1

A fairly useful Irish chaser who got off the mark at the first attempt at Clonmel in June. Posted a good third of 5 in novice at Sligo (21.2f, heavy) 30 days ago so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 0-12U23

Idalko Bihoue²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127| BF| D

5/1

Scored on his Worcester hurdling debut (20f) in 2022 and also a fine third in Newbury's Challow but he was well below that level subsequently. 5/2 favourite for his chasing debut but fell ninth in 2m4f Warwick handicap 22 days ago. More is needed.

Form: 13PP5-F

Atlanta Brave²¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 124

4/1

Irish point winner who made a bright start over hurdles last season, landing novices at Chepstow and Hereford (21.7f) in January. Drop in trip wasn't ideal on handicap debut at Newbury and he remains with potential over fences.

Form: 12114-

Downtown Queen^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: C P McNamara| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 117| D

14/1

A fairly useful hurdles winner who is on the up over fences, going in readily at Wexford (19.6f) before a good third of 7 in handicap at Roscommon (21.3f, soft) last month. This Irish raider merits serious consideration.

Form: P-77213

Non-Runners

Passing Well¹⁸⁹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: Jamie Snowden J: G Sheehan

Latino Fling²⁴

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Atlanta Brave (4/1), Ginny's Destiny (9/2), Idalko Bihoue (5/1), Moon Hunter (13/2), Way Out (7/1), Hurricane Bay (7/1), Passing Well (7/1), Railway Hurricane (17/2), Downtown Queen (14/1), Latino Fling (16/1), Mr Saxobeat (25/1)

GINNY'S DESTINY made up into a useful hurdler in a short space of time for Tom Lacey last term and now under the tutelage of Paul Nicholls is fancied to make a winning start over fences in a most intriguing novice handicap chase. Downtown Queen is feared most with experience on her side and rates the chief threat of the Irish-trained trio ahead of Moon Hunter, Passing Well and Atlanta Brave who all bring a fair bit of potential.