15:15 Sedgefield

Tuesday 14 March 2017

All13:2013:5514:3515:1515:5516:3517:10

bookies.com Cheltenham Free Bets Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 2.15s

1^st

Chasma

711-4

5/1

T: M & D EasterbyJ: Jake Greenall

Held up in rear, steady headway 9th, 4th travelling well before 11th, 3rd before 4 out, closed between horses and quickened to lead approaching last, kept on well run-in op 9/2

2^nd

1 ¾

Whitsundays

811-12

5/1

T: D McCain JnrJ: W T Kennedy

Led, pushed along and strongly pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace run-in op 4/1

3^rd

3 ¾

The Mythologist

911-5

4/1

T: Tim VaughanJ: George Blackwell (7)

Raced wide, held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders 9th, 2nd next, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace before the last op 7/2

4^th

Shy

510-8

15/2

T: G A CharltonJ: Jan Faltejsek

Chased leader until 9th, losing place when hit next, struggling in last pair 12th, driven in modest 4th after 4 out op 8/1

5^th

King Of The Dark

1011-5

6/1

T: V ThompsonJ: Thomas Dowson (5)

Raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd 9th until next, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off op 13/2

Also Ran

Bandol

911-7

3/1f

T: S G WestJ: J Kington (3)

Chased leaders until fell 8th op 7/2

Emerald Thief

611-2

20/1

T: C GrantJ: S A Shortall (3)

Chased leaders until lost place and in rear 8th, poor 5th when fell 3 out op 25/1

Unlimited Replays

of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays

Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits Sporting Life Plus - Join For Free

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£5.40Pl:£2.30, £2.30EX:£32.60Trifecta:£153.10SF:£27.23Swingers:£3.50, £4.20, £3.70

Forecasts

Bandol (3/1), The Mythologist (4/1), Chasma (5/1), Whitsundays (5/1), King Of The Dark (6/1), Shy (15/2), Emerald Thief (20/1)

Whitsundays is likely to be better than last time, both in account of fitness, and over this shorter trip, whilst previous course winners Bandol (8lb higher and up in trip) and King Of The Dark (inconsistent) look up against it here. It's debatable as to the strength of Chasma's form at Wetherby (with the exposed Shy) in close proximity, so the vote goes to THE MYTHOLOGIST who was probably unlucky not to win at Market Rasen last month. He drops in trip, but granted a clear round under this talented claimer (takes over from Richard Johnson), he can get off the mark over fences at the third attempt.