bookies.com Cheltenham Free Bets Novices' Handicap Chase

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

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Whitsundays^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 101

5/1

Course hurdles winner who proved no match for On The Road here on his just his second rules start over fences last month. Likely to be suited by dropping back 2F in trip on that showing, and is also likely to strip fitter here for that reappearance run; his first start since May 2016.

Form: P/32211-

Bandol⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J Kington⁽³⁾| T: S G West| OR: 96

3/1

Has done extremely well over fences since September 2016, winning on three occasions despite switching yards. His course victory on debut for this trainer last month came over a shorter trip (2m), and he has been beaten from this 8lb higher mark at Catterick since, so needs to produce a career best to win.

Form: 1F113F

King Of The Dark¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 94

6/1

Unable to reproduce the kind of form which saw him run out a facile winner over a slightly longer trip at this track on his penultimate start when well beaten over C&D late last month. Remains 8lb higher than for that sole career success.

Form: 175767-

The Mythologist²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: George Blackwell⁽⁷⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 94

4/1

Most likely would have went close to scoring but for falling two out at Market Rasen last month. That race was just this nine-year-old's second run over fences (under rules), but did come over a longer trip (3m). Holds a clear chance from the same mark (7lb lower if factoring in riders claim) granted a clear round over this shorter trip.

Form: 6/P3F31-

Chasma^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jake Greenall| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 93

5/1

2m4f course hurdles winner who didn't get off to the best start over fences at Catterick in January (unseated rider), but better next time when a 16L runner up to Money Maid (Shy third) at Wetherby. Others hold stronger form claims.

Form: 624U21

Emerald Thief³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S A Shortall⁽³⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 91

20/1

Showed nothing of any note whatsoever during a five race career (mainly in novice hurdles), and makes both his handicap and chasing debut with any small glimmers of ability probably the main hope for connections today for the future.

Form: 6

Shy^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Jan Faltejsek| T: G A Charlton| OR: 84

15/2

Eleven race maiden, including in two attempts over fences, but was only 1¼L behind Chasma when third to Money Maid last time at Wetherby, so evidently holds a similar chance to that rival again today.

Form: 2-47746

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.