16:40 Taunton

Monday 11 March 2024

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

William Hill Cheltenham Offers Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 4m 19.66s

Joke Dancer^t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: P Griffin| OR: 102| D

12/1

Unreliable type. Tongue strap on for 1st time, first run since leaving Sue Smith when third of 10 in handicap chase at Thurles (16.3f, soft, 9/1) 27 days ago. Not the force of old but proved he retains some ability last time.

Form: 056P-P3

Ardmayle^t⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: A Stronge| OR: 101| D

40/1

Scored over fences at Southwell and Hereford last spring but both efforts this season have left a lot to be desired. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 4161-05

Imperial Joe¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Jake Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: T Dennis| OR: 100| C

5/1

Most consistent last term, winning three times (twice here, including this race). Yet to fully recapture that sort of form this season but he's sliding in the weights and this represents a drop in grade.

Form: 12-4543

Filanderer⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: H Morrison| OR: 94| D

7/2

Ran much better on his first start over fences when second at Wincanton (2m), unlucky to bump into a classy rival (now rated 139). Distant second to an improving type at Plumpton since and this could be his chance to get off the mark in this sphere.

Form: 74-4022

Man Of Light⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 93

14/1

Back from a lengthy absence when only sixth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (15.9f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Should come on for that and he's potentially well treated starting over fences.

Form: 72383/6

Fancy Stuff^h,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 90| D

40/1

Fair bumper winner who failed to progress over jumps for Dan Skelton and went backwards from a mildly promising start for this stable over fences. Others make more appeal.

Form: 36-6P36

Mini Yeats^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: M G Nolan| T: M Hunt| OR: 89

13/2

Maiden hurdler who back on track when fifth at this course last time but will proably need this first chasing experience.

Form: 44-54P5

Lustleigh¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Gundry| OR: 86

17/2

Failed to progress from his promising debut for Dan Skelton but first signs of a revival when second in a handicap at Ludlow on just his second chase outing. Well treated if he can build on that.

Form: F34/0P2

Gorcombe Moonshine^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Stan Sheppard| T: R Walford| OR: 79| BF

7/2

10/3, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Fontwell (soft) on debut over fences in December. Backed it up with a respectable third at Plumpton on only completed start (unseated last time) since and makes plenty of appeal in a weak race.

Form: 633-13U

Tonto Foley^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 77| D

13/2

Equipped with a first-time tongue strap when winning 6-runner handicap hurdle at Southwell (15.8f, good) last June. Disappointing next time but there was encouragement in his third at this course on chasing debut. Could build on that.

Form: 048-1P3

Forecasts

Gorcombe Moonshine (7/2), Filanderer (7/2), Imperial Joe (5/1), Tonto Foley (13/2), Mini Yeats (13/2), Lustleigh (17/2), Joke Dancer (12/1), Man Of Light (14/1), Fancy Stuff (40/1), Ardmayle (40/1)

FILANDERER has made a positive start to his chasing career, beaten by progressive types twice, and this doesn't look quite as strong, so he's worth a chance to open his account in this discipline. Gorcombe Moonshine should be on the premises and Tonto Foley has a bigger effort in him over fences.