DragonBet The Roar Before BOG At Cheltenham Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 14.12s

Rap Soul¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 93| CD

4/6

Runner-up in an Irish point and left his bumper/maiden hurdle form behind when making a successful chase/handicap debut over C&D (soft) a fortnight ago. Did it easily and even a 12 lb rise may not stop him with further progress likely.

Form: 27-5701

Carpe Diem^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Hutsby⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 89| BF| D

4/1

Reacted well to a first-time visor when back to form to win 2½m Huntingdon handicap chase (heavy) last month. Showed enough to think he's still in good heart when 18 lengths second back there since.

Form: 2-13412

Lunar Ocean^v1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 77

7/2

Runner-up for the fifth time over fences at Huntingdon (2½m, soft) just before Christmas but he isn't straightforward and ran no sort of race at Catterick since. His regular cheekpieces are now replaced by a first-time visor.

Form: 25-2625

Goguenard^b¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 72| D

14/1

Won 3 times over hurdles in 2024 but could only finish a remote fourth on both completed starts over fences last winter. Has also failed to find his best form reverted to hurdles since and goes back chasing with plenty to prove.

Form: 42-964P

Forecasts

Rap Soul (4/6), Lunar Ocean (7/2), Carpe Diem (4/1), Goguenard (14/1)

The handicapper hasn't missed RAP SOUL after his easy C&D win last month but it might not stop him up against 3 much more exposed opponents. Carpe Diem has found some form again since visored and can follow the selection home.