Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 2 | 3m | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 12| Weight: 12-2| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147| D

Ended 2021/22 campaign with success in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. Disappointed last season but has fared better this time around, winning Becher at Aintree (25.8f) under this rider. Pulled up in Welsh National just 18 days later, but he's worth another chance.

Form: U44-21P

Celebre D'Allen^p⁶³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140

Cruised clear in a 25f Aintree veterans' event under this rider on return in October. Shaped much better than distance beaten suggests (failed to stay under gruelling conditions) when remote fourth in the Becher back at Aintree since. Merits consideration.

Form: 3408-14

Ramses De Teillee^t²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 137| D

Made a winning reappearance in veterans' event at Warwick (3m) last season, but ended the campaign with a couple of below-par efforts. However, having had another wind op he showed encouragement when fourth at the same C&D on his return. Major player.

Form: 12345-4

Ballygrifincottage^t⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

Useful novice hurdler in 2021/22 and made a winning start over fences in novice at Haydock (21.6f) last season. However, his form has gone the wrong way since, in first-time cheekpieces when pulled up at Wincanton last time. Has something to prove at present.

Form: 4/1PP-3P

Floueur^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 135| D

Useful winning hurdler/chaser for Gordon Elliott but offered little in 2 starts at this course for Gary Hanmer early last year. After 10 months off, again let down by his jumping when down the field in handicap chase at Kelso on seasonal/stable debut. Others more persuasive.

Form: 0188P-5

Conkwell Legend⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125

Useful winning handicap hurdler but has finished well held both completed starts over fences, unseating at the second in Tommy Whittle Handicap at Haydock on his latest outing. Has questions to answer.

Form: U12-53U

Carbon King²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 124

Progressive when winning 3 handicap hurdles in Ireland last season and, making his first start over fences for his current yard, returned to form when winning handicap at Ffos Las (19.4f) in December. Stiff task in Grade 2 at Warwick last time so he could bounce back.

Form: 16-8P1P

Forecasts

Ramses De Teillee (9/4), Chambard (5/2), Celebre D'Allen (9/2), Carbon King (13/2), Ballygrifincottage (10/1), Conkwell Legend (12/1), Floueur (12/1)

RAMSES DE TEILLEE showed that he retains plenty of ability when fourth at Warwick on his return and, having dropped back down to his last winning mark, he can build on his latest effort to get his head back in front again. Chambard had started the season in good form so could leave behind his effort in the Welsh National, with Celebre d'Allen also considered.