14:20 Cheltenham

Saturday 26 October 2024

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

William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 18.12s

Does He Know^p¹⁸²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 152| CWS

12/1

Smart chaser who returned to form, with positive tactics readopted, when landing the Grimthorpe at Doncaster on slow ground in March. Ran poorly at Sandown next time, however, and may find this test sharp enough first time up.

Form: 3/P451-P

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Broadway Boy¹⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 149| CD

9/4

Made a successful start over fences in a Worcester novice before scoring twice at this course, the form of his handicap win in December boosted by the second and third subsequently. Not in same form on final 2 starts but reappears on a handy mark and must enter calculations.

Form: 121135-

Vanillier^p,t¹⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 148| C

16/1

Albert Bartlett winner in 2021 who ran a cracker from a long way back when a strong-finishing second in 2023 Grand National. Largely disappointed last term, however, and it's been some time since he got his head in front.

Form: 2/55020-

Le Milos¹⁸²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 147

9/1

Big improver over fences for this yard in 2022/23, including victory in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Disappointed in first 3 starts (over hurdles) last term but offered more when seventh in Bet365 Gold Cup on final outing and can't be ruled out here.

Form: 20/300-7

Kinondo Kwetu^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 142| D

20/1

Snapped a run of poor form when scoring at Uttoxeter and Worcester this summer and arrives on back of creditable second of 5 in handicap chase at Perth (23.8f, soft, 3/1) 31 days ago. Should give another good account but this is much more competitive.

Form: 0PP112

Senior Chief^p1²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142

11/1

Useful hurdler who got off the mark at third time of asking over fences at Punchestown (22.8f) in February. Well fancied but failed to give his running in Irish Grand National next time but remains with potential and hails from a yard with a good record at this meeting.

Form: 13/321P-

Escaria Ten^p¹⁹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 140| D

100/1

Formerly useful performer for Gordon Elliot but has gone backwards in recent seasons, including on debut for this yard in April, and is best watched.

Form: 27P/6P0-

Chasing Fire¹⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 140

7/1

Improved on hurdles efforts when making an impressive winning return/chasing debut in a novice at Uttoxeter this time last year and back to that sort of form when scoring at Perth (23.8f) in April. Asked a bigger question now but returns on a fair mark.

Form: 14U421-

Captain Morgs^p¹²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| C| DWS

28/1

Returned to form from out of the blue, after 3 months off, when scoring at Aintree (25f) in May. However, underlined his inconsistency when running badly at Worcester next time and his overall profile remains off-putting. Has had a breathing operation.

Form: 42PP-14

Kansas City Star^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 130

28/1

Having left Gordon Elliott, made a winning stable/chase debut at Huntingdon in January and left behind a poor run when successful at Plumpton in March. However, not been in same form since and others are more appealing.

Form: 0151-06

Pepe Le Moko²⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 127| BF

12/1

Winless following 5 attempts over hurdles but quickly put that right sent chasing, taking 2 of his first 3 starts (at up to 20.5f). Ended campaign with disappointing fifth at Kempton but scored on his return last year and will be a danger to all if staying this longer trip.

Form: 42/1215-

Unanswered Prayers¹⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 127| C

20/1

Posted creditable second of 8 in handicap chase at Kempton (24f, good to soft) when last seen in May but hasn't scored since taking a novice handicap here 2 years ago and others look better treated.

Form: FU563-2

Some Scope^t¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 126| BF| D

13/2

Had a good first season over fences, winning on 2 of his 5 starts and ending campaign with creditable fourth of 14 in handicap chase at this course (26f, good) in April. Likely more to come this term.

Form: P51124-

The Short Go^h⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Jordan Gainford| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 125| BF

9/1

Performed creditably since sent handicapping over fences, latest when fourth of 14 in at Kilbeggan (25.4f, good to soft) in August. More on plate here but can't be discounted given the yard's record at this meeting. 1 lb out of the weights.

Form: 161-534

Forecasts

Broadway Boy (9/4), Some Scope (13/2), Chasing Fire (7/1), The Short Go (9/1), Le Milos (9/1), Senior Chief (11/1), Does He Know (12/1), Pepe Le Moko (12/1), Vanillier (16/1), Unanswered Prayers (20/1), Kinondo Kwetu (20/1), Kansas City Star (28/1), Captain Morgs (28/1), Escaria Ten (100/1)

PEPE LE MOKO has to prove his stamina over this longer trip but he returns on a fair mark and the likelihood is we haven't seen the best of him yet. He gets the nod. Broadway Boy has a fine record here and is feared most, whilst Some Scope and Senior Chief are also much respected.