13:50 Cheltenham

Saturday 11 December 2021

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Racing Post Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 10.46s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Cepage²⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 157| CD

18/1

Very smart chaser who posted anoothr good run when fourth of 16 in Ultima handicap here (25f) in March. Goes well fresh, so he returns well in the mix. Yard also have Farinet in here, however.

Form:

Midnight Shadow²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 154| CD

11/2

Has a very good record here, and he put up a career best when gamely winning Paddy Power Gold Cup at this track 28 days ago. Hit with a 7 lb rise but he can make his presence felt again.

Form:

Fusil Raffles⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152| CD

5/1

Very smart chaser who arrives on back of win in Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (24.2f) 42 days ago by 4¼l from Kitty's Light. Effective at this shorter trip. and he's much respected.

Form:

Lalor^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 151| C

15/2

Smart chaser who got back on track for new yard after a wind op when third of 19 to Midnight Shadow in Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month. Cheekpieces refitted now, and he's firmly in the picture.

Form:

Zanza²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145

12/1

Very useful chaser who has posted solid efforts this term when third in Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup and sixth in Paddy Power Gold Cup here. He's one for the shortlist nudged up just 1 lb.

Form:

Dostal Phil²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 143

7/1

Low-mileage chaser who resumed his progress when fourth of 19 to Midnight Shadow in Paddy Power Gold Cup here, best work at the finish. Possibilities off only 1 lb higher mark.

Form:

Francky Du Berlais^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 143| D

150/1

In fine form in spring/summer when landing the Summer Plate at Market Rasen. Only eighth of 13 in Grand Sefton Handicap at Aintree (21f) 35 days ago though, so he needs to get back on track.

Form:

Siruh Du Lac⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 143| CD

25/1

Smart chaser who has been seen sparingly since 2019. Shaped as if needing the run after 11 months off back over hurdles here in October, so this C&D winner is no forlorn hope off a reduced mark.

Form:

Coole Cody²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 143| CD

12/1

C&D winner who was in process of running well (in a clear second) when falling 2 out in Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month. Tough sort who must enter calculations off the same mark now.

Form:

Deyrann de Carjac²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: A King| OR: 133| D

18/1

Very lightly raced since grade 2 scorer in 2019/20, but he wasn't disgraced when eleventh to Midnight Shadow in Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month. More is needed now, however.

Form:

Farinet²⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

13/2

Low-mileage ex-French chaser who looked a smart prospect when landing Sandown listed handicap (20f) in March on only second run for current yard. Up 8 lb but he has more to offer, so a big player.

Form:

Beakstown^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| BF| D

11/2

Lightly-raced chaser who returned from 20 months off with good third in 20f handicap at Aintree last month. In excellent hands, and possibilities if building on that effort now.

Form:

Topofthecotswolds¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131

40/1

Returned to his best when second in 19f Wetherby handicap but unseated rider first at Newbury 14 days ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form:

Non-Runners

Silver Hallmark⁴¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: F O'Brien J: N de Boinville

Joke Dancer²¹

Weight: 10-1| Age: 8

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Fusil Raffles (5/1), Midnight Shadow (11/2), Beakstown (11/2), Silver Hallmark (6/1), Farinet (13/2), Dostal Phil (7/1), Lalor (15/2), Coole Cody (12/1), Zanza (12/1), Deyrann de Carjac (18/1), Cepage (18/1), Siruh Du Lac (25/1), Joke Dancer (33/1), Topofthecotswolds (40/1), Francky Du Berlais (150/1)

Loads with chances in a cracking handicap, but the unexposed ex-French chaser FARINET returns on a good mark and is taken to continue Venetia Williams' fine recent run by claiming his biggest prize yet. Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Midnight Shadow seems sure to make a good fist of it, and both Silver Hallmark and Lalor are two others fancied to take a step forward and have a say too.