14:55 Cheltenham

Sunday 16 November 2025

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Oddschecker Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 7m 21.32s

Protektorat^t²²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 165| C

3/1

High-class chaser who won the 2024 Ryanair Chase. Got right back on track last term when runner-up to Jonbon in the Melling Chase (2½m) at Aintree in April and can't be ruled out on a rare run in handicap company up markedly in trip.

Form: 3/62142-

Sam Brown^t²²⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-4| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 155

16/1

Likeable veteran who got back to winning ways at Newbury (3m2f) in March. Not totally disgraced when sixth of 12 in handicap chase at Aintree (25f) following month and not ruled out given he has gone well fresh.

Form: 302416-

Beauport²²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 154

13/2

Stormed home in 3m5f handicap at Ascot on his comeback last November and after two good hurdling efforts he wasn't discredited when 12th in the Grand National, prominent until the home turn. Handily weighted for his return and he's a player.

Form: 1P/1320-

Nassalam^b²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 147

18/1

Landed the Welsh National at Chepstow in 2023 but lightly raced and well below par since, pulled up in 3m1f handicap chase here 22 days ago. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 1P0/PP-P

Latenightpass^t1²²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: T Ellis| OR: 144| CWS

22/1

Smart veteran chaser who posted an excellent second in the Cross Country at the Festival in March. Not at his best in Topham at Aintree following month but he merits respect on his seasonal return after wind surgery. Tongue tie is also added.

Form: 0/03U20-

Marble Sands³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 142

7/1

Very useful chaser who added to his tally in 2m4f listed chase at Carlisle last November. Comes here on the back of a good second on the Flat at Goodwood last month so needs considering.

Form: 6/13250-

Tanganyika²⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 140

7/2

Very much on the up sent chasing last term, scoring over 3m at Market Rasen and Carlisle before signing off with an excellent second of 16 in Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March. Up another 6 lb but he merits serious consideration on his seasonal return.

Form: 0/54112-

Fascile Mode^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: T Mullins| OR: 133

8/1

Arrives in decent form without winning but is often let down by his jumping and that was again the case when coming in eighth of 18 in handicap chase here (25f, good) 22 days ago.

Form: F9-7238

Lady Balko²⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: P Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 132

22/1

Improved for the switch to fences last season and completed a hat-trick at Hereford last December. Not disgraced in first-time cheekpieces when fourth in 3m listed chase at Exeter final run but 7 lb out of the handicap here.

Form: 1115P4-

Transmission^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130| C

13/2

Took well to fences last season, scoring here last November and also a good fifth in National Hunt Chase at the Festival. Not at his best after 8 months off in 3m1f handicap here 22 days ago but can take a step forward now.

Form: 21265-0

Forecasts

Protektorat (3/1), Tanganyika (7/2), Beauport (13/2), Transmission (13/2), Marble Sands (7/1), Fascile Mode (8/1), Sam Brown (16/1), Nassalam (18/1), Latenightpass (22/1), Lady Balko (22/1)

This is wide open but it could pay to side with BEAUPORT who scored impressively on his reappearance at Ascot last term and looks on a handy-looking mark having shaped much better than his 12th position suggests in the Grand National on his final run. Venetia Williams' upwardly-mobile Tanganyika was a fine second in last season's Midlands National and is feared most on his return, while Protektorat can't be ruled out either on a rare foray into handicaps. Marble Sands completes the shortlist.