13:15 Cheltenham

Saturday 24 January 2026

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

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

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 18.11s

Boombawn¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 152| D

33/1

Useful hurdler and proved even better switched to fences last term, bagging a Grade 2 at Wincanton. Mostly creditable efforts in defeat since, latest when third of 4 to Edwardstone in Silviniaco Conti at Kempton (20.5f) two weeks ago. Place prospects.

Form: 245-443

Jagwar^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 149| BF| CD

7/4

Improved at a rate of knots switched to fences last season when a four-time winner, culminating with another C&D success in the Plate at the Festival in March. Set a lot to do returning from 9 months off when a promising third of 10 here last month and rates a big player nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 11311-3

Riskintheground^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| CD

50/1

Enjoyed a fine 2024/25 when scoring 6 times. Proved game when resuming winning ways at Newton Abbot in October and not disgraced when sixth of 9 over C&D last time. This C&D scorer shouldn't be underestimated off a 3 lb lower mark.

Form: 17-4196

Booster Bob⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 141

11/2

Signed off last season with success in Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury in the spring and reappeared with a career-best victory in valuable 2m6f handicap chase there in November. That form has been franked so he's well in the mix despite a 9 lb hike.

Form: 13231-1

Uncle Bert²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138

13/2

Useful hurdler who resumed his chase career with victory in 2m4f handicap at Aintree in December. Failed to get home and tailed off when fell 2 out in Welsh National at Chepstow since but no surprise to see him bounce back over this more suitable trip.

Form: 3159-1F

Prairie Wolf^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 135| D

8/1

Resumed winning ways in 5-runner handicap chase at Aintree (2m4f) last month. Up 3 lb and this is tougher but yard is going really well so needs considering.

Form: 43P-331

Donnacha²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: James Davies| T: N J Hawke| OR: 132

12/1

Scored over fences (around 2m4f) at Exeter/Chepstow last season and has improved again this time around, runner-up back at Chepstow (2m4f) last month. Possibilities off an unchanged mark.

Form: 411-322

Triple Trade²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 131| C

18/1

Veteran nowadays but he readily went 2-3 this term with victory in 4-runner handicap chase at Sandown (20.1f, good) three weeks ago. Back up 3 lb and this is a much tougher ask.

Form: 724-131

Moon D'orange^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Alex Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 130| CD

14/1

Irish raider took this a year ago. Yet to hit top form this term but there were more encouraging signs when he stayed on into fifth of 9 over C&D 23 days ago. He can't be dismissed off a 3 lb lower mark now.

Form: 772-005

Hurricane Bay^t,p⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 129| D

50/1

Dual hurdles winner who improved over fences when bagging handicap chases at Huntingdon and Fakenham last year. Runner-up in a small-field at Doncaster following a break/wind op in November but the way he capitulated back on Town Moor last month was worrying.

Form: 61-P125

Javert Allen⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 128| BF

9/2

Took well to fences last season, winning twice over 2m, and he's advanced his form with very good runner-up finishes at Aintree and Newbury in November. Likeable sort who can't be ruled out now stepping up in trip.

Form: 1125-42

Forecasts

Jagwar (7/4), Javert Allen (9/2), Booster Bob (11/2), Uncle Bert (13/2), Prairie Wolf (8/1), Donnacha (12/1), Moon D'orange (14/1), Triple Trade (18/1), Boombawn (33/1), Riskintheground (50/1), Hurricane Bay (50/1)

Lots with chances but JAGWAR signed off a great novice chase campaign with success in the Plate over C&D in March and can build on his eye-catching reappearance third here to quickly resume winning ways. Booster Bob also has better days ahead of him and rates the main threat with the form of his Newbury victory having been well advertised. Last year's winner Moon d'Orange is another who could have a say along with Javert Allen, Boombawn and Uncle Bert in this cracking handicap.