15:50 Cheltenham

Wednesday 18 April 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Nicholson Holman Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 35.5s

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Selected odds by:

Tintern Theatre³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137

5/1

Won a good quality handicap chase at Kempton in late December, but course form of F4U0 is a concern with all three wins having come at a right-handed track.

Form:

Ozzy Thomas^p⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: R Johnson| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 137

12/1

Usually thereabouts in these contests and has proven he can act off this mark on his last couple of starts. Should be right up there again.

Form:

Red Infantry^v²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 132

5/1

Has been in good form so far this season and continued that progression with a 26L win at Warwick last time. Up 13lb for that very impressive win and may prefer it a little softer.

Form:

Pure Vision^t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 128

12/1

This is a different proposition to the race he won at Ffos Las in November, being longer, on better ground and at a higher level. 6lb higher having not been especially impressive since so best watched.

Form:

Baden^p⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

4/1

Back to winning ways at Sandown last time when winning in good style. Nico De Boinville back in the saddle here and a 3lb rise looks very fair for that victory.

Form:

Sam Red^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127

8/1

Yet to complete either of his handicap chases so slightly difficult to assess his mark, though he is 8lb lower than when last seen in this sphere and wasn't disgraced with a double penalty last time.

Form:

Tanarpino^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 125

8/1

Hasn't wan a race of any description for almost two years, and though his last two efforts over hurdles were fair, he has questions to answer now back over fences (0-4 so far).

Form:

Kelvingrove^p¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124

25/1

Off the mark over fences at Taunton last time, but up 5lb here on ground he may find a little on the quick side.

Form:

Winter Lion^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122

8/1

Remains a maiden over fences and was a long way behind Baden on stable debut last time out, a performance that wasn't a particular improvement on efforts for his previous yard.

Form:

Nightline⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120

14/1

Jumping has left plenty to be desired over fences so far, so despite some close calls in chases he isn't an attractive proposition against some more fluent performers.

Form:

Definitly Grey^t¹¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 116

20/1

Hasn't figured in a race since shooting up the weights when winning at Chepstow in October, and is still 9lb higher than at the time of that victory.

Form:

Forecasts

Baden (4/1), Tintern Theatre (5/1), Red Infantry (5/1), Winter Lion (8/1), Tanarpino (8/1), Sam Red (8/1), Pure Vision (12/1), Ozzy Thomas (12/1), Nightline (14/1), Definitly Grey (20/1), Kelvingrove (25/1)

This can go to BADEN, who has only been put up 3lb for a nice victory at Sandown last time out and if he can prove he acts at this course should go very close. Nico De Boinville retakes the ride and he can continue with the progression he has shown so far this campaign. Other of interest include Ozzy Thomas, who looks on a very workable mark on recent evidence, and Sam Red, who could do with improving on his jumping but could be on a potentially lenient mark if managing that.