13:55 Cheltenham

Saturday 15 December 2018

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 12.1s

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Selected odds by:

Frodon^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 164| CD

7/1

Consistent and genuine performer who ran as well as ever to chase home Baron Alco in the BetVictor Gold Cup at this track last month. Better off at the weights with that rival, but his own 3lb rise sets him a severe test.

Form: 1350-12

Baron Alco²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 152| C| D

5/1

Gained just reward for a series of fine efforts when fending off Frodon in the BetVictor Gold Cup at this course last month. Not certain to confirm those placings on 3lb worse terms and his 6lb rise makes life tough in relation to his other rivals.

Form: 2122/21

Rather Be²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 149

7/2

Still going great guns and looking sure to be involved in the finish when brought down four fences from home in the BetVictor Gold Cup. On the same mark and looks likely to be thereabouts if his confidence has not been affected.

Form: 8/1U12-B

War Sound³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 146

7/1

Off the mark at the ninth attempt over fences when scoring decisively at Aintree last month. Up 10lb, but travelled like a good horse that day and there may be plenty more to come.

Form: 34222-1

Cobra De Mai^p,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143

20/1

Narrow winner at Stratford last month, but was well held in fourth behind Mr Medic in his only subsequent run at Ascot. Runs off the same mark which leaves little room for manoeuvre.

Form: 22-4914

Mr Medic²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 143| D

12/1

Five wins from eight races over fences is a fine strike rate and he confirmed his well being when returning from an 11-month absence to score at Ascot last month. Has to handle a 9lb rise, but is a solid performer who has sound each-way claims.

Form: U/6131-1

Cepage²⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 143| D

12/1

Consistent sort who has performed creditably since coming over from France. Tough ask first time out, but respected trainer is starting to hit form and he is a young horse with improvement in him.

Form: 3/23414-

Casablanca Mix³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| BF

14/1

Second-season chaser who generally jumps well and was just touched off over 3m at Market Rasen last time. Should be happier down in trip and handicapper has dropped her 2lb.

Form: 321F-22

Catamaran Du Seuil^b⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 142| BF| D

20/1

Winning reappearance at Wetherby, but fell at the sixth fence when tackling the Grand National fences at Aintree last weekend. Not totally exposed and is dangerous to write off if all is well after his tumble.

Form: 1421-1F

Romain De Senam^h,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| D

12/1

Unseated rider at the first behind Baron Alco last time. Finished a long way behind War Sound on his previous start so has plenty to find.

Form: 507-43U

Foxtail Hill⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137| BF| CD

14/1

Bold-jumping frontrunner who possibly found 2m on the short side when third on his reappearance at this track. Can do better back at this trip and looks a lively outsider.

Form: 86800-3

Guitar Pete²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 137| CD

13/2

Winner of this race a year ago and confirmed his liking for this venue when third to Frodon and Baron Alco in the BetVictor Gold Cup. Has a pull in the weights with both those rivals so has to enter calculations.

Form: 1U68-23

Non-Runners

Full Glass²¹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: A King J: D A Jacob

Splash of Ginge²⁸

Weight: 10-1| Age: 10

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Jamie Bargary

Casse Tete²²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: Joshua Moore

Forecasts

Rather Be (7/2), Baron Alco (5/1), Guitar Pete (13/2), Frodon (7/1), War Sound (7/1), Cepage (12/1), Mr Medic (12/1), Romain De Senam (12/1), Foxtail Hill (14/1), Casablanca Mix (14/1), Full Glass (14/1), Catamaran Du Seuil (20/1), Cobra De Mai (20/1), Splash of Ginge (20/1), Casse Tete (33/1)

A fiercely-competitive chase in which Baron Alco bids to confirm BetVictor Gold Cup form with Frodon and Guitar Pete on worse terms. All three can handle the hurly-burly of these contests so it would be no surprise to see them in the firing line again. Rather Be was going well when brought down in that contest and will be well fancied to put the record straight, but there is little mileage in his current price and it may pay to take a chance with FOXTAIL HILL, who boasts good form at this venue and looks overpriced at around 16-1. War Sound won in style at Aintree and can get involved, while cases can also be made for Mr Medic, Full Glass and Cepage.