14:25 Cheltenham

Saturday 16 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 49.09s

Protektorat^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 165| C| D

16/1

Recorded a second Grade 1 success of his career in Betfair Chase first time back in 2022/23 but blew out in that corresponding event at Haydock (25.6f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago, losing touch having lost the lead before the thirteenth. Needs to bounce back on just his second handicap chase start.

Form: 34/145-4

Threeunderthrufive^p,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| BF| C

15/2

Dual Grade 2 winner as a novice chaser and having had a breathing operation in the summer, ran a cracker returning from 7 months off when runner-up in Badger Beer at Wincanton (25.1f, soft) 5 weeks ago. Pulled clear of the rest that day, so looks sure to remain competitive.

Form: 3U684-2

Malina Girl²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Conor Stone-Walsh⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 146| C

7/1

Progressed well over fences last season and gained a third success in 3m4f handicap chase at Downpatrick in April. Stepped up markedly on reappearance effort (over hurdles) when scoring back over fences at this course (27.3f, soft) last month and she's an improving young stayer.

Form: 3P1P-01

Broadway Boy²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 146| C

11/8

Rangy sort who proved progressive over hurdles last term, gaining his third success at this venue (3m) in April. Made a winning return/chasing debut at Worcester in September and doubled his tally over fences with an impressive display here (24.5f, soft) 4 weeks ago. Lots to like on handicap bow.

Form: U11-121

Elvis Mail^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 146| D

28/1

Has registered smart performances when winning 3¼m handicap chases at Kelso (all wins there and Ayr) on his last 2 outings, making light of a 7-month absence when seeing off 5 rivals at the end of October. 3 lb higher and a career best is needed to take this.

Form: 633U1-1

City Chief²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| BF| D

11/2

Made a very good start over fences last term, landing a Grade 2 Wetherby novice in February, and he signed off with a good third in handicap chase at Ayr. Probably just needed the run after 7 months off when fourth here (27.3f, soft) recently, so he could take a sizeable step forward.

Form: 5/2113-4

Rapper^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 140| CD

66/1

Back to form in first-time cheekpieces when scoring over C&D handicap in good style on New Year's Day. Reported to have bled/suffered irregular heartbeat when pulled up on last couple of starts (latest after 8 months off) though, so he looks an easy swerve for now.

Form: 9315P-P

Easy As That²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 138

7/2

Looked a potentially smart chaser as he easily won handicaps at Haydock and Newcastle. Shaped as if retaining all his ability despite going with little fluency after 8 months when sixth on return here (20.2f, soft) 4 weeks ago and may do better now upped markedly in trip.

Form: 1/2115-6

Non-Runners

Back On The Lash²⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 9

T: M Keighley J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Broadway Boy (11/8), Easy As That (7/2), City Chief (11/2), Malina Girl (7/1), Threeunderthrufive (15/2), Protektorat (16/1), Back On The Lash (25/1), Elvis Mail (28/1), Rapper (66/1)

A cracking staying chase in which cases can be made for plenty. However, preference is for THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE, who pulled clear with a progressive sort on return in the Badger Beer at Wincanton 5 weeks ago and Paul Nicholls' charge can register his fifth success over the larger obstacles. Broadway Boy made it 2-3 in this sphere when bolting up here last month, so he looks a serious threat on handicap debut, with Easy As That and City Chief also fancied to feature.