13:10 Cheltenham

Saturday 26 October 2024

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 4m 48.89s

Will Carver^t¹¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| DWS

10/1

Improved sent chasing this term, scoring on his debut at Cartmel and looking likely to follow up in 2m4f Uttoxter handicap in June when blundered 2 out. Jumps soundly in the main and he's capable of another bold bid after a wind op.

Form: 3/1P-P13

Guard Your Dreams²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 136| CD

11/2

Smart hurdler at his best who made light of a 6-month absence to land 6-runner handicap chase at Warwick (20f, good) on his debut over fences 23 days ago. Up 4 lb but not taken lightly for last year's winning yard.

Form: U/5400-1

Lisnamult Lad^t,p⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 134| BF| D

20/1

Useful Irish winner at 21f over hurdles who arrives in good nick over fences, cheekpieces on when fourth of 7 in handicap chase at Kilbeggan (20.2f, good to soft) 77 days ago. In the mix with tongue strap back on.

Form: 4-22844

Riskintheground^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| D

17/2

Much improved over fences since dropped back in trip, bagging his fourth success at Bangor in September. Posted another good effort when third of 4 in novice chase at Newton Abbot (21f, good) 36 days ago. Can go well again.

Form: 111513

Dutch Schultz³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 129

12/1

Already a dual winner over fences this term, latest in 2m1f handicap at Killarney in August. Wasn't seen to best effect back hurdling when seventh at Listowel (20f, soft) 30 days ago so merits consideration reverted to fences.

Form: 22-2117

Lord Of Thunder²⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 129| D

6/1

Son of Getaway was firmly on the up when last seen over hurdles in January, scoring twice in novice company around 2m4f at Wincanton. This points runner-up is an interesting chasing debutant.

Form: 23/P211-

Weveallbeencaught^p1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 128| CD

17/2

Useful hurdler/chaser for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Got back on track for his new handler when third of 5 in novice chase at Worcester (23f, soft) 29 days ago. Considered in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 3266-03

Marv Michael^t,p⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 128| D

4/1

Got off the mark over hurdles at Tramore in August and followed up in striking style on his chasing bow at Kilbeggan (2m4f) following month, making all under an attacking ride. Player on his handicap debut.

Form: 38-4211

Bob Bob Ricard^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

13/2

Improved for the switch to fences during the summer, landing back-to-back handicap chases at Ffos Las and Worcester. Not disgraced twice since over hurdles at Worcester so enters calculations back chasing.

Form: 36-1125

Bashers Reflection^t¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 123| D

17/2

Improved hurdler last season, scoring at Wetherby and signing off with a solid ninth in 2m4f handicap here in first-time cheekpieces. No forlorn hope now going chasing.

Form: 317289-

Andys Flame^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 113

28/1

A fair winner at 19f over hurdles who made a promising start over fences when second of 10 in novice at Downpatrick (19.4f, good to soft) 15 days ago. More to offer now going into handicaps. Needs considering despite being 5 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 335-842

Non-Runners

Jazzy Matty¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: C Collins J: Jordan Gainford

Doughmore Bay¹⁸⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Marv Michael (4/1), Guard Your Dreams (11/2), Lord Of Thunder (6/1), Bob Bob Ricard (13/2), Weveallbeencaught (17/2), Riskintheground (17/2), Bashers Reflection (17/2), Will Carver (10/1), Jazzy Matty (10/1), Dutch Schultz (12/1), Doughmore Bay (12/1), Lisnamult Lad (20/1), Andys Flame (28/1)

This is wide open but Nicky Henderson's WILL CARVER was unfortunate not to go 2-2 over fences when thwarted by a late blunder at Uttoxeter in the summer and gets the nod with likely more to come after breathing surgery. Irish challengers Dutch Schultz (second choice) and Marv Michael both look capable of better too and rate the chief threats, although a host of others are also in the mix, namely Lord of Thunder, Weveallbeencaught and Guard Your Dreams.