15:00 Cheltenham

Saturday 17 November 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Regulatory Finance Solutions Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 6m 5.6s

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Selected odds by:

Dell' Arca^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 147| C| D

16/1

Versatile and likable eight-time winner hasn't raced over hurdles since winning in July at Uttoxeter (four runs since). Similar marks beyond him in the past and looks high enough here.

Form: 03-4148

Boyhood³²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 143| CD

5/1

Lightly raced but in good form last Winter winning twice in last three including here when last seen on heavy ground. Raised 13lb for that improved effort now so task gets tougher but potential if picking up where he left off.

Form: 214/141-

Vieux Lion Rouge^p²¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 141| DWS

12/1

Ninth in last year's National one of four unsuccessful runs last season but now arrives back on last winning mark and after a summer wind-op so should win this races this term once reverting to chasing on favoured soft ground.

Form: 16/4749-

The Eaglehaslanded^b,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136| CD

10/1

Raced just twice since 2016, a pulled-up last term and a 10th of 20 here last month. Open to improvement now if he can stay fit but has to be considered a risky proposition.

Form: 1186/P-0

Goodbye Dancer²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135

20/1

Missed 596 days after winning a Sandown handicap to end 2016-17 campaign and therefore little surprise he needed the run when 11th here last month. Entitled to come on plenty for that but will need to do.

Form: 20PP1/0

Weebill¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 132

9/2

Won two and placed in other four of six starts in novice company and handled step up in trip last twice with a win over 2m4½f at Ayr most recently. Starts out new campaign with another step up in trip for handicap debut, chance if he stays.

Form: 33212-1

First Assignment²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 130| C| D

5/2

Won once as a novice last term but took form to new level first time out this season when getting up on the line to score over 2m5f here. Upped 5lb but this trip looks likely to be ideal so could stay ahead of the handicapper.

Form: 1/2413-1

Master Dancer^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 129| C

20/1

Looked a horse going places when bolting up at Chepstow (2m) and here (2m5f) last season but unable to build on that. Beaten a long way in last two on flat and back over hurdles so questions to answer now.

Form: 20/147-0

Anteros^p,t³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 129| C

15/2

Not won since 2016 success in this race but second in it once again last year. Two midfield efforts this season so far shown enough to give him possibilities once again although ground may prove quick enough.

Form: F256-34

Buckle Street^b1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Stock⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 128| D

20/1

Only 1lb higher than last win in 2017 and signs of life latest which was his fourth start of the campaign when sixth of 16 at Aintree. More needed and can play up at the start. First-time blinkers today.

Form: 10-R546

Sweet Home Chicago²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: C Bowe| OR: 123| D

11/1

Three-time 3m winner in Ireland including last two starts at Clonmel and Galway. Won easily by 9L last time so 8lb rise not enough to rule him out although suggest this is a good bit tougher.

Form: 3-F4511

Forecasts

First Assignment (5/2), Weebill (9/2), Boyhood (5/1), Anteros (15/2), The Eaglehaslanded (10/1), Sweet Home Chicago (11/1), Vieux Lion Rouge (12/1), Dell' Arca (16/1), Goodbye Dancer (20/1), Master Dancer (20/1), Buckle Street (20/1)

FIRST ASSIGNMENT stayed on well to win over 2m5f here first time out and he looks likely to appreciate this step up in trip and is one to follow at this early stage of his handicapping career so gets the vote. Weebill did nothing but improve last term in novice company and like the selection now goes up in trip with genuine potential. Boyhood was going well when last seen and definitely does stay so is another worth considering.