14:00 Cheltenham

Thursday 1 January 2026

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:40

Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 10.36s

Jungle Boogie²⁹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 156| D

22/1

Fragile but highly talented performer who was sixth in 2024 Gold Cup on only fourth chase start. Made a winning return at Ascot last season but pulled up in Ryanair over C&D only start since. Needs to be close to best to defy opening mark for new yard on return (has left Henry De Bromhead).

Form: 1416/1P-

Matata²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 154| BF| C

6/1

Headstrong sort but developed into a very smart chaser last season, winning a brace of handicaps, including over 2m here. Back to near best when third at Kelso 25 days ago but stamina for this far remains unproven.

Form: 133-733

Twinjets³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| D

4/1

Perfect start to this season when landing a 7-runner contest at Fontwell and took a big step forward when following up at Newbury, again making all. Should make bold bid for hat-trick.

Form: 4/52P-11

Riskintheground^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| CD

13/2

Enjoyed a fine time of it last term, scoring 6 times, including Silver Trophy at Cheltenham in April. Proved game when resuming winning ways in small-field chase at Newton Abbot before trip too far in Coral Gold Cup. Career-high mark is the concern.

Form: 117-419

Il Ridoto^t,p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Freddie Keighley⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| CD

6/1

Better than ever when winning last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup over C&D. Followed that with a series of lesser efforts, though, including when well behind Glengouly in December Gold Cup here.

Form: 807-287

Grandeur D'ame³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 134

14/1

Useful chaser who shaped well on his Stratford reappearance in October, leading for long way before weakening and fell last. Probably found the trip too far at Newbury since but again didn't convince with his jumping. Went close off 2 lb higher in similar event over C&D 11 months ago.

Form: 520P-F0

Moon D'orange^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 133| CD

7/1

Came from well off the pace to win a similar event over C&D last winter. However, has mostly struggled since and is possibly not straightforward.

Form: 47-7200

Glengouly^t,p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 131| CD

5/1

Useful chaser for Willie Mullins and back to that level when causing a surprise from 7 lb out of the handicap in December Gold Cup over C&D 19 days ago, making all. Races off 3 lb higher here so player with a repeat.

Form: PP0341

Just Over Land^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 120

6/1

Has returned better than ever, winning at Fontwell before following up at Chepstow. More needed to complete hat-trick, however (10 lb out of the handicap).

Form: 54P4-11

Forecasts

Twinjets (4/1), Glengouly (5/1), Matata (6/1), Il Ridoto (6/1), Just Over Land (6/1), Riskintheground (13/2), Moon D'orange (7/1), Grandeur D'ame (14/1), Jungle Boogie (22/1)

GLENGOULY produced the biggest shock in the history of the December Gold Cup when making all from 7 lb out of the handicap, yet he was capable of even better form when with Willie Mullins and can confirm that performance wasn't a fluke. Twinjets is clearly thriving and rates the main threat, though the classy but fragile Jungle Boogie is an interesting runner starting out for a new yard and switched to a handicap for the first time.