13:45 Cheltenham

Friday 17 November 2023

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 4m 1.6s

Do Your Job^t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 140| D

17/2

Grade 2 winning novice chaser in his prime. Quiet time of it last season but shaped as if he'd come on for his stable debut at Aintree recently. Drop in trip could help, too, so he's not one to rule out.

Form: 11/655-7

Calico^p,t²¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

6/1

Enjoyed a productive 2022/23 campaign over fences and was in the process of showing improved form (6 lengths down in second) when falling at the last in Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree 7 months ago. Handicapper hasn't been harsh with that in mind, and he's a big player on return.

Form: 24121F-

No Risk Des Flos²⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 137| D

14/1

Won twice at Wetherby last season and respectable third at Sandown when last seen 8 months ago. Should be pretty straight for this return but has improvement to find from this mark.

Form: P/41613-

Prince Escalus²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| D

33/1

Useful chaser who gained a third win in that sphere in 2m Wetherby handicap in February. Below par since but might strip fitter for reappearance over C&D.

Form: 4817-77

Triple Trade²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 130

10/3

Gained his breakthrough success over fences in 2m4f handicap at Wincanton in April and followed up with a career best at Kempton later that month. Solid return over C&D but seemed to find the test inadequate, so will need them to go quick.

Form: 22U11-2

Guy^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

15/2

Winning return with his stable going well at Fontwell in October and backed it up with a creditable fifth over C&D last time. Others look better treated, though.

Form: 432-115

Madara^p,t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 132| D

16/1

First run since leaving Y. Fouin when unseated rider in handicap chase at this C&D (good to soft, 33/1) on UK NH debut 20 days ago, would have finished in frame. Can't be ruled out.

Form: 11F-82U

Gold Des Bois^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: I Jardine| OR: 123| D

12/1

Straightforward and likeable chaser who arrives on the back of a solid showing when second in a 4-runner race at Kelso last month. Likely to find at least one too good in this company, however.

Form: 3546-32

Coastguard Station^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 121| D

11/1

Dual winning pointer who improved on his hurdles form when making a winning chase debut in 2m handicap at Doncaster a year and acquitted himself well in defeat subsequently. Creditable return over hurdles at Wetherby a month ago and should be spot on for this.

Form: 1223-53

Walk In Clover²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| C| D

14/1

Fairly useful chaser who has won here and was in the process of running well when unseating here 3 weeks ago. Can make her presence felt if her jumping holds up.

Form: 11-423F

Ballybreeze²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 120| BF| DWS

4/1

Looked a nice prospect when making a successful start over fences in a 2m Chepstow novice handicap last season and, having faced a stiff task in the Arkle, looked likely to resume winning ways before he departed at Market Rasen 7 months ago. More to come and very muchn one to note.

Form: 323/17F-

Forecasts

Triple Trade (10/3), Ballybreeze (4/1), Calico (6/1), Guy (15/2), Do Your Job (17/2), Coastguard Station (11/1), Gold Des Bois (12/1), Walk In Clover (14/1), No Risk Des Flos (14/1), Madara (16/1), Prince Escalus (33/1)

Given the way CALICO was shaping prior to falling in the Maghull Novices' at Aintree 7 months ago, he's not been overly punished by the handicapper and he's worth a chance to capitalise on return. Ballybreeze remains with plenty of improvement in him as a chaser, so he's regarded as a big danger, while Do Your Job can compete if he strips fitter for his return.