16:40 Cheltenham

Wednesday 12 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 3m 59.51s

JPR One^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 156| D

8/1

Won a Grade 2 at Lingfield as a novice last season and made a winning return on the back of wind surgery in the Haldon Cup at Exeter. Ran well behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek next time but not quite so good in Game Spirit at Newbury. Remains of interest back in a handicap.

Form: 317-134

Dancing On My Own^t¹³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 152| CD

18/1

Has a good record in handicap chases in Britain, winning the Red Rum at Aintree 2 years ago and scoring over this C&D (off 1 lb lower) last term. Can go well fresh so must be respected after 3 decent runs early in the season.

Form: 066-213

My Mate Mozzie^t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 151| CD

13/2

Useful on the Flat and smart over hurdles but seems best in this sphere, hitting the crossbar yet again in a valuable handicap when second at Leopardstown last month, exaggerated waiting tactics almost paying off. Another big run expected (C&D winner as a novice).

Form: 2126-32

American Mike^t⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 148| D

14/1

Second in the Champion Bumper 3 years ago and winner of a Grade 2 chase (3m) at Navan as a novice last season. Flopped in the Brown Advisory 12 months ago but back to form down in distance last 2 starts. Not sure this trip is his optimum but likely strong pace will at least suit.

Form: 15-5634

Nells Son^p⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 148| D

33/1

Better than ever at present and followed up his win in Carlisle graduation event with 2m1f handicap success (narrowly) at Kelso. Seemed undone by 5 lb rise at Doncaster since, however. so likely to find this too competitive.

Form: 217-113

Martator^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147

50/1

Developed into a smart handicap chaser, bringing up the 5-timer with plenty to spare at Ascot (16.7f) in November. Has gradually gone off the boil since, however, and this a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 1-11376

Unexpected Party^t⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| CD

11/2

Sound jumper who enjoyed his finest hour when winning this race on heavy going 12 months ago (off 6 lb lower). This season's efforts suggest he's been building up to another tilt at this, so another bold bid looks on the cards (effective on better ground).

Form: 1P-5242

General Medrano⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 143| D

10/1

Resumed winning ways at Newbury in November and arrives on the back of an excellent second at Doncaster 7 weeks ago (might've won had he been held onto for longer). This race should be run to suit so not taken lightly.

Form: 37-2142

Fringill Dike^b¹⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 142| D

33/1

Quickly made up into a better chaser than hurdler last season, successful on his first 3 starts over fences. Added to his tally with 2 more wins this term but something to prove now having not seen since a lethargic effort at Kelso in October.

Form: 2-12015

So Scottish^p⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 139| DWS

12/1

Frustrating customer who's been expensive to follow, including at this meeting. Mixed record kept over hurdles this season and not seen in this sphere since falling 4 out (still going strongly) in December Gold Cup here last term. Will no doubt have his supporters once again.

Form: 245270

The King Of Prs^t⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Conor Stone-Walsh⁽³⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 138| D

18/1

In the process of running poorly when falling in this race last season but has been in top form this term, producing a career best to win Grade 3 handicap at Fairyhouse under this rider 60 days ago. Likely to make a better fist of it this time around.

Form: 6F4-231

Traprain Law^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 136| D

20/1

Progressed into a useful chaser last term, winning twice and runner-up in a good-quality handicap at the Ayr Scottish Grand National meeting. Improvement has stalled this season but latest third at Musselburgh was creditable (seemed suited by more patient tactics). Could outrun his odds.

Form: 12-3443

Gaelic Arc³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 135| D

100/1

Sole success over fences came in listed handicap at Killarney (by 8 lengths from Dancing On My Own) in July. Mixed record since then and fall at Leopardstown last month not an ideal preparation for this (usually a sound jumper).

Form: 42626F

Western Zephyr⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 135| D

22/1

Failed to win over fences last season but made a winning return following a wind op in 5-runner handicap at Carlisle. More than backed that up when second in C&D Grade 2 but disappointed back in a handicap at Ascot since. Others appeal more.

Form: 54P-123

Jazzy Matty^p⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Gilligan| T: C Collins| OR: 135| CD

15/2

Won the Fred Winter at this meeting in 2023. Similar form over fences, winning twice early in the season. Just denied in a messy 4-runner C&D novice in October and shaped well back over hurdles next time. Interesting contender making handicap debut in this sphere with headgear re-fitted.

Form: 13P122

Midnight It Is³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 134| BF| D

25/1

Looked better than ever returning from 11 months off when winning Navan handicap in December. Unlucky not to finish closer when excellent third behind The King of Prs in Grade 3 handicap at Fairyhouse and easy to forgive next run (reportedly coughing post-race). Respected.

Form: 351-138

Third Time Lucki^t⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134| CD

28/1

A smart chaser at his best for Dan Skelton and has good record here. Joined present connections for £190,000 but well below form all 3 starts this season after 19 months off. However, is potentially well handicapped if this has been the target (fourth in this 2 years ago off 15 lb higher).

Form: 149/265

Conyers Hill^h⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 131| D

18/1

Useful hurdler. Low-key start over fences this season but came good when narrow winner of 9-runner novice at Down Royal in January. Opening mark in this sphere demands more but remains unexposed as a chaser.

Form: 2-35671

Jasko Des Dames^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 131

22/1

Fairly useful over hurdles but has quickly developed into a better chaser, winning first 2 starts in the autumn. Latest effort probably best forgiven and remains with potential making handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 531125

Primoz^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 130| D

6/1

Bookended his novice campaign over hurdles with victories at Ayr and perfect start in this sphere when scoring at Wetherby on return. Needed a match race to resume winning ways at Kelso last month but in fairness did it faultlessly. Will find this a totally different test, however.

Form: 1-14F31

Forecasts

Unexpected Party (11/2), Primoz (6/1), My Mate Mozzie (13/2), Jazzy Matty (15/2), JPR One (8/1), General Medrano (10/1), So Scottish (12/1), American Mike (14/1), Conyers Hill (18/1), The King Of Prs (18/1), Dancing On My Own (18/1), Traprain Law (20/1), Jasko Des Dames (22/1), Western Zephyr (22/1), Midnight It Is (25/1), Third Time Lucki (28/1), Fringill Dike (33/1), Nells Son (33/1), Martator (50/1), Gaelic Arc (100/1)

Plenty to consider in what is a typically intriguing renewal. UNEXPECTED PARTY was a decisive winner of this last season so still looks on a good mark off 6 lb higher. This has likely been his long-term target once again, shaping as if he retains all his ability in 4 runs this campaign. Gavin Cromwell holds a strong hand with 3 live chances, My Mate Mozzie looking the pick, while Jpr One's Tingle Creek form puts him right in the mix off top weight.