Shloer Chase (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 4m 6.63s

Jonbon²⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 168| BF| CDWS

5/6

Top-class and supremely consistent chaser who gained a fourth victory of last term in ready fashion in the Melling Chase at Aintree in the spring. Returns after a wind op and he is impossible to oppose in his bid for a hat-trick in this race.

Form: 111212-

L'eau Du Sud^t²²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 155| BF| CD

10/3

Quick to make his mark over fences last term and completed a four-timer in Grade 2 Kingmaker at Warwick in February. Posted a good fourth in the Arkle here after and this C&D winner shouldn't be underestimated on his return for a yard well among the winners.

Form: 111143-

Edwardstone²⁰²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 157| CD

10/1

A very smart chaser but he went without a win last term and signed off with a below-par fourth in the Celebration Chase at Sandown in the spring. This veteran C&D scorer has been placed in the past two runnings of this though so can't be totally dismissed.

Form: 3F2354-

Haddex Des Obeaux⁷⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 153| D

40/1

Proved most progressive over fences in 2022/23 for Gary Moore when a dual 2m scorer at Doncaster/Warwick and also a fine third to Jonbon in Tingle Creek at Sandown. Resumes after 23 months off for his new stable here though so others are preferred on this occasion.

Form: U211F3/

Libberty Hunter²⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: Evan Williams| OR: 151| CD

15/2

Smart chaser who scored over C&D on his return last term and was running well when fell 3 out in Queen Mother Champion Chase over C&D in March. Remains quite low mileage so he can't be totally dismissed.

Form: 123/12F-

Matata²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 157| CD

9/1

Headstrong sort but developed into a very smart chaser last season when winning over C&D and at Windsor. Had a rare off day on his reappearance when seventh of 9 over C&D three weeks ago but it would come as no surprise to see him get back on track now.

Form: 12133-7

Non-Runners

Brookie²¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: A J Honeyball J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Jonbon (5/6), L'eau Du Sud (10/3), Libberty Hunter (15/2), Matata (9/1), Edwardstone (10/1), Brookie (33/1), Haddex Des Obeaux (40/1)

Nicky Henderson's top-notch JONBON has yet to finish out of the first two throughout his distinguished career and is confidently expected to return in style from breathing surgery and bag a hat-trick in this Grade 2 chase. Dan Skelton has his string in great nick so his progressive second-season chaser L'Eau du Sud could prove the pick of the rest, although Brookie also looks to have better days ahead of him and shouldn't be underestimated in the battle for minor honours.