DragonBet Backing Our Opinion At Cheltenham Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 51.69s

El Granjero^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 122| BF

2/1

Successful twice over hurdles last spring and returned to form in first-time cheekpieces with a near-miss at Uttoxeter (2½m, heavy) on New Year's Eve. Again found just one too good over the same C&D last month and this former point winner merits respect on chase debut.

Form: 11-6522

Stratagem^p,t²⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 119

28/1

Useful sort who made all in 3m Southwell hunter in May 2022. Hasn't got near that level since but, on the upside, his mark continues to slide and he will be a danger to all if able to get back on track.

Form: 241/44-4

Sainte Doctor^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113

8/1

Successful final 2 starts of 2022/23 campaign before an 18-month absence. Back in the groove on fourth outing since returning from that hiatus, landing a 4-runner Fakenham handicap (21.2f, good) in ready fashion last month. 3 lb rise easy to swallow and she has to enter calculations.

Form: 11/3531

Just Loose Change^p⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 111

7/1

Twice a winner over hurdles and much improved in this sphere when rallying for success in novices' handicap at Huntingdon (23.6f, good) in November. However, he has proved disappointing since and the first-time cheekpieces (on again here) failed to spark a return to form at Market Rasen last time.

Form: U412P5

I Shut That D'or^t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 111

7/2

Has been rejuvenated by the switch to front-running tactics, making it 3 wins from his last 4 starts with a another near-fautless round of jumping at Hereford (19f, good to soft) in January. Every inch a leading contender, for all that this 5 lb higher mark demands a new personal-best.

Form: 701211

Korus²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 107

5/2

Lightly-raced maiden who, having finished in the money on 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles, made an encouraging start in this sphere when third in a 7-runner Plumpton handicap (19.8f, soft). Promises to be suited by this stiffer test and he's of strong interest with improvement on the cards.

Form: 623933

Non-Runners

Pilsdon Pen²⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: J Scott J: Lorcan Williams

Forecasts

El Granjero (2/1), Korus (5/2), I Shut That D'or (7/2), Just Loose Change (7/1), Sainte Doctor (8/1), Pilsdon Pen (10/1), Stratagem (28/1)

None of these can be ruled out with any great confidence but KORUS nevertheless stands out on account of his potential following an encouraging debut in this sphere at Plumpton. The 5-y-o shapes as though he'll benefit from this step up in trip and he shades preference ahead of in-form rivals Shut That d'Or and Sainte Doctor. Chase debutant El Granjero is also interesting.