17:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 12 March 2019

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 8m 42.32s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Ballyward⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150

9/4

Has Cheltenham experience (fourth in last year's Albert Bartlett) and looks to have taken well to fences this season (limited experience). Won his last start (Grade 3; Naas), left clear at the last when Discorama fell; sure to progress further.

Form:

Beyond The Law^h1,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J C Barry| T: M F Morris| OR: 136

66/1

Yet to win over fences but did run respectably in a handicap last time, now hooded for the first-time. Would need to make some spectacular improvement to get involved here especially as they must be stamina doubts; one of the less likely types.

Form:

Chef Des Obeaux^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr M J O'Hare| T: N J Henderson| OR: 149| BF

9/1

Looks very much the second-string for the yard although he did improve in first-time cheekpieces last time to win by 18L (still looks short of his hurdles form). Room for improvement in his jumping and this looks too competitive for him on balance.

Form:

Clondaw Cian^p¹⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D Skehan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 130| C

125/1

Plenty of chasing experience to his name but yet to win over the larger obstacles (0-7); now makes his debut for this stable (previously with Suzy Smith). Raced very lazily last time and becoming more and more unreliable; one to avoid.

Form:

Discorama⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: P Nolan| OR: 148

9/2

Second in last year's Martin Pipe (under a poor ride) he's quickly made up into smart chaser winning on his debut (Naas, 2m3f). Things haven't totally gone to plan in two runs since; running well when falling late on versus Ballyward (3m) last time.

Form:

Gun Digger^p,t1⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ms Lisa O'Neill| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

25/1

Useful sort over hurdles who has taken well to fences and got off the mark at the third attempt (rather fortunate, two main rivals fell at last) winning by 18L. Looked out of his depth in a Grade 3 last time; tongue-tie added to usual cheekpieces.

Form:

Impulsive Star^p⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 139

16/1

Finished fourth in this last year so no stamina worries but was proving difficult to win with over fences until lading the 3m5f Classic Chase at Warwick. Work to do with market principal OK Corral on earlier form at Plumpton; place chance again.

Form:

Jerrysback⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D G Lavery| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 148| BF

16/1

Produced some smart form over fences so far (scored at 50-1 on second chase start). His two subsequent runs have proved him worthy at this level although he has yet to be tested over this sort of trip; may well prefer testing conditions.

Form:

Johanos⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: K E Buckley| T: N J Hawke| OR: 125

100/1

Dual hurdles winner who shaped with plenty of encouragement when sent chasing after a long absence; jumped soundly/travelled well in a Newbury handicap. This will prove a lot tougher though but he will improve; type for long distance handicaps.

Form:

Just Your Type^p1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr R James| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134

50/1

Looks an out-and-out stayer who wasn't disgraced with a sixth in the Eider (looked inexperienced for a contest like that). Has shown enough to say that he will win a long distance chase but one of this class looks rather beyond him.

Form:

Le Breuil⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr J J Codd| T: B Pauling| OR: 145

14/1

Surprise contender but has top Irish rider booked having shaped as though a test of stamina was needed now. Only chase win came in a match on his debut/return to action; generally a sound jumper and not out of the picture given overall chasing form.

Form:

Mulcahys Hill^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr N McParlan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 140

40/1

Useful hurdler who has yet to really get going over fences although he was only beaten 1L by Jerrysback at Bangor prior to wind surgery. Had just the one run since that procedure when well beaten in a 2m4f Grade 1 at Sandown behind Defi Du Seuil.

Form:

Ok Corral⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153

4/1

Smart hurdler (second in 2018 Albert Bartlett) who has an unblemished 2-2 record over fences after two small-field staying wins. Scored well last time by 6L in a Warwick Listed event under today's rider; sure to progress further, likely to stay 4m.

Form:

Plantagenet^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Matthew Fielding| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122| BF

100/1

Faces a very stiff task at the weights (would be getting weight in a handicap of most) but has run well at his own level over fences of late. Hard to see him getting involved at this level though and would have more chance in a handicap.

Form:

Skipthecuddles^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lily Pinchin| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 140

40/1

Useful handicap hurdler who usually wears cheekpieces since he won in them at Ludlow last April. Rather chequered career so far over fences (made a sound debut); back on track when beating a weak finisher in a match last time; 4m will suit.

Form:

Warthog^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Deegan| T: D Pipe| OR: 134

100/1

Quite a quirky character who was a little fortunate to make a winning debut over fences (made all; plenty of trouble behind). Disappointed next time before getting back on track last time but did appear as though stiffer test would suit; tough ask.

Form:

Whisperinthebreeze^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr F Maguire| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 146| BF

20/1

Taken a while to get going over fences but confirmed himself a progressive young chaser with an impressive Leopardstown handicap win last time (travelled/jumped well). Had other Festival options (interesting choice); looks a lively one at a price.

Form:

Atlanta Ablaze²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr William Biddick| T: H D Daly| OR: 143

20/1

The only mare in the field she's had a fine season winning four times over fences since having wind surgery; two victories coming in Listed mares' company. Jumps and travels well and looks to be suited by this trip; top amateur takes the ride.

Form:

Forecasts

Ballyward (9/4), Ok Corral (4/1), Discorama (9/2), Chef Des Obeaux (9/1), Le Breuil (14/1), Jerrysback (16/1), Impulsive Star (16/1), Whisperinthebreeze (20/1), Atlanta Ablaze (20/1), Gun Digger (25/1), Skipthecuddles (40/1), Mulcahys Hill (40/1), Just Your Type (50/1), Beyond The Law (66/1), Warthog (100/1), Plantagenet (100/1), Johanos (100/1), Clondaw Cian (125/1)

Ireland have dominated in this contest taking four of the last six with Willie Mullins and son Patrick teaming up to take two of those wins. BALLYWARD is their sole representative this time around and the Naas scorer looks to have a fine chance of landing them this prize again. Discorama who fell at the last when upsides Ballyward tries again versus his old adversary with Gun Digger and the progressive and likeable Whisperinthebreeze giving the Irish a strong team again. OK Corral leads the home defence but with Nicky Henderson having a poor record with marathon chasers it may be safer to looks at Jerrysback and Atlanta Ablaze for the home team at more attractive odds.