13:15 Cheltenham

Saturday 27 January 2024

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 22.35s

Hitman^p,t⁹⁰

12/1

Shaped as if amiss on return in Old Roan at Aintree but has had a breathing operation since and his only previous visit here resulted in excellent third in Ryanair Chase last season. Not taken lightly.

Form: 1P236-0

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Ga Law^p⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 150| C

8/1

Won last season's Paddy Power (off 8 lb lower) at this venue and travelled well for a long way in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3¼m) last month. Cheekpieces worn on that occasion are retained and a strongly-run race at this shorter trip could play to his strengths.

Form: 1F5P-67

Jetoile^t⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: R Potter| OR: 150| D

18/1

Ended last season on the upgrade, landing 2 handicaps at Chepstow in good style before making a winning return (albeit a messy renewal due to several omitted fences) in Old Roan Chase at Aintree. Has clearly developed the winning habit and he must enter calculations.

Form: 32411-1

Il Ridoto^p,t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| CD

4/1

Clearly well suited by this course, winning this contest (off 10 lb lower) 12 months ago and only narrowly failing to make all in competitive handicap over C&D last month. 5 lb higher now but looks sure to go well again.

Form: 416P-32

Victtorino³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 146

9/2

Ex-French chaser who has upped his game significantly since joining Venetia Williams, landing back-to-back 23.8f handicaps at Ascot. Faces a different test here but further improvement may be forthcoming.

Form: 2574-11

Excello³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144| D

5/1

Useful form over hurdles and fences at up to 2¾m in France. Only third in novice hurdle for new yard in November but different proposition back chasing 4 weeks later, winning a graduation event in decisive fashion at Ascot (21f, good). Could be more to come on switch to handicaps.

Form: 2212-31

Bill Baxter³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: W Greatrex| OR: 138| D

12/1

Had a fine first season over fences, gaining fourth success when gamely landing Topham Chase over the National fences at Aintree (21f) in April. Acquitted himself well in defeat this term but wouldn't want the ground too dry out too much here.

Form: F11-384

Straw Fan Jack³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 137| C

22/1

Dual winner over fences last term who made a solid return behind Pic D'Orhy at Ascot in November. However, ran no sort of race at same course since and makes limited appeal here.

Form: 1444-23

Easy As That⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137

10/1

Looked a potentially smart chaser when easily scoring at Haydock and Newcastle last winter but has found life tougher since, down the field in competitive handicaps at this venue. In fine hands, however, and is only 4 lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 2115-66

Frere d'Armes^p1,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| BF

22/1

Improved for switch to chasing last season, landing handicaps at Kempton/Newbury (at up to 18f) and ran up to best when second in Ascot handicap (16.7f) on penultimate start. This looks tougher, though, and he arrives on back of poor effort at Musselburgh.

Form: 127-52P

Grandeur D'ame⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 133

9/1

Winning hurdler who has a generally progressive profile over fences, back on the up when landing a handicap at Wetherby (19.4f) in November. Far from disgraced (from 3 lb out of the weights) when fourth in C&D handicap since and merits consideration.

Form: 115-514

Lounge Lizard^b⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: J J Burke| T: H D Daly| OR: 130

25/1

Looked more straightforward than had previously been the case (in blinkers) when landing small-field handicaps at Catterick/Taunton during second half of last term. Did too much too soon in Becher Chase latest but may find things happening plenty quick enough dropped in trip here.

Form: 311-335

Champagne Mystery^t1⁶²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Nicolas Gauffenic| T: T R George| OR: 130| D

50/1

Campaigned exclusively in France in recent years, running up to best when second in listed chase at Auteuil (17.4f, heavy) 62 days ago. Since rejoined Tom George and doesn't look harshly treated back handicapping but it's been some time since he got his head in front.

Form: 2-2F942

Forecasts

Il Ridoto (4/1), Victtorino (9/2), Excello (5/1), Ga Law (8/1), Grandeur D'ame (9/1), Easy As That (10/1), Bill Baxter (12/1), Hitman (12/1), Jetoile (18/1), Frere d'Armes (22/1), Straw Fan Jack (22/1), Lounge Lizard (25/1), Champagne Mystery (50/1)

Last year's winner IL RIDOTO lost nothing in defeat when caught close home here last month and remains feasibly treated. He gets the nod in what looks a highly competitive contest. Victtorino has proved a revelation since switching to Venetia Williams and is feared most, whilst Excello and Hitman are also very much respected.