14:50 Stratford

Monday 9 March 2026

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

DragonBet The Roar Before BOG At Cheltenham Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 29.38s

Xcitations¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: Jack Andrews| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 121

5/1

Veteran has edged down the weights and stepped up markedly on his reappearance when runner-up in a 4-runner handicap chase at Leicester (15.9f, soft) 13 days ago. Had the run of the race there but he's the only obvious front runner again here and he should be in the mix.

Form: 3413-P2

In This World^t²³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B R Summers| OR: 116| D

50/1

Fairly useful winner over both hurdles and fences for Dan Skelton but no show in 3 starts for this yard in the summer and is hard to make a case for after 7 months off.

Form: 212-74P

Non Stop^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 114WS

10/3

Runner-up twice over fences last season and was better than ever when winning a handicap hurdle at Wincanton in December. Not in the same form back chasing at Plumpton last time and his jumping remains a slight concern over the larger obstacles.

Form: 22-3173

Gaelic Rambler^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 113

7/4

Runner-up in 2 points and ran only twice over hurdles last spring. Weakening when unseating 3 out in Wincanton handicap chase on reappearance but shaped quite well under a hands-and-heels ride when third at Southwell 3 weeks ago. Remains with potential over fences.

Form: 22/32-U3

Cobbler's Boy^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 108

9/1

Cost £115,000 after finishing runner-up in an Irish point. Won maiden hurdle at Warwick last May but has struggled since, jumping sketchily on his 3 outings over fences to date. Suspicion remains he's capable of better but he clearly needs to brush up his jumping.

Form: 2-18544

Grey Diamond^h,t⁵¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107

18/1

One-time useful chaser but is firmly on the downgrade nowadays and is easy to oppose again.

Form: 852-638

Harel Du Marais⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 105| D

11/2

At his best when there's a real emphasis on speed and he scored over fences at Market Rasen in August. Bit of encouragement back hurdling at Huntingdon on penultimate start and seemed unsuited by soft ground/longer trip at Doncaster last time. Probably best watched back chasing.

Form: 1U6633

Ironica De Thaix⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 105

14/1

French bumper winner in 2021 but has made the track only 4 times since and was struggling some way out returning from another 2-year layoff in a Ludlow novice hurdle in January. Needs to prove a different proposition on chase debut.

Form: 1003/P

Forecasts

Gaelic Rambler (7/4), Non Stop (10/3), Xcitations (5/1), Harel Du Marais (11/2), Cobbler's Boy (9/1), Ironica De Thaix (14/1), Grey Diamond (18/1), In This World (50/1)

An uncompetitive race which can go the way of GAELIC RAMBLER, who has been lightly raced under Rules to date and caught the eye under considerate handling at Southwell last month. Xcitations confirmed he's still capable at this level when runner-up at Leicester last time and will pose the biggest threat. Non Stop can complete the 1-2-3.