14:00 Cheltenham

Saturday 1 January 2022

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:50

Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 23.57s

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Selected odds by:

Funambule Sivola²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 155

7/1

Took really well to chasing last term when a 4-time winner, and back with promising second in 20f Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. Weighted to go close returned to handicap company for in-form yard.

Form: 12112-2

Janika^t⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153WS

40/1

Grade 2 winner over fences during 2019/20 but he returned from 6 months off with well-held sixth in 19f handicap chase at Chepstow in October. Tongue strap back on after a wind op with a bit to prove.

Form: 42/950-6

Simply The Betts²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| CD

17/2

Major improver over fences during 2019/20 season. Shaped well on return for new yard here before not jumping so well as usual when pulled up in 3m Aintree Grade 2. Well worth another chance.

Form: 211/6-6P

Magic Saint^p1,t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| C

50/1

Course winner but he's yet to hit top form in two runs this term, fifth of 9 in 2m handicap here 50 days ago. Cheekpieces are reached for now.

Form: 45P2-75

Riders Onthe Storm^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: R Hobson| OR: 147| D

11/1

High-class chaser in 2019/20 but lost his way for Nigel Twiston-Davies last season. Back from 9 months off with encouraging second in 20f Aintree handicap on yard bow thoug, so he needs considering.

Form: 1F/33P-2

Coole Cody²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 147| CD

5/1

Tough sort who landed Grade 3 over C&D 21 days ago by 2l from Zanza. Has a career-high mark to overcome now but he goes really well round here and is still not taken lightly.

Form: 344-2F1

Zanza^p1²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 147

6/1

Very useful chaser who has posted three solid efforts this term, 2l second to Coole Cody in Grade 3 handicap over C&D 21 days ago. Cheekpieces on. High on the shortlist nudged up 2 lb.

Form: FP6-362

Alnadam⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143

5/1

Took very well to fences last season when a dual 20f scorer. Faced very stiff task when last of four at Haydock on his return. Remains with potential back in handicap company.

Form: 21817-4

Espoir De Teillee³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: D E Mullins| T: T R George| OR: 141

40/1

Yet to add to his two wins last term, but he comes here on the back of excellent third in 22f handicap at Newbury 35 days ago. In the mix eased 1 lb.

Form: 11-6433

Kauto Riko^p1,t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: T R Gretton| OR: 140

20/1

Winless since 2018, but he resumed with good second in 3m Doncaster handicap three weeks ago, closing all way to line. Cheekpieces go on for the first time, and shortlisted.

Form: 520/4P-2

A Toi Phil³⁵⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 136| D

50/1

Ended time with Gordon Elliott with Listowel chase win in 2019. Only twice raced since but not disgraced in 20f Kempton handicap 11 months ago. Yard among the winners but this is no easy return.

Form: 04014/4-

Vienna Court²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135| CD

10/1

Ended long losing run in some style in mares' handicap over C&D on good ground 22 days ago, forging 11l clear on run-in. Hiked up 12 lb and conditions more testing now.

Form: 5443-31

Galahad Quest^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 134| BF| C

9/1

Opened his account over fences at Haydock (20f) in February and he has returned in good nick, still going well when falling 9th in 20f Aintree handicap four weeks ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 931-35F

Admiral Barratry^v¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: L Wadham| OR: 132| D

28/1

Back to winning way in refitted visor in 21f Fakenham handicap 13 days ago. More is needed in this deeper contest though off a 7 lb higher mark.

Form: 12P0-71

High Up In The Air²⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Davies| T: G & J Moore| OR: 131| D

50/1

Progressed in leaps and bounds over fences last season, completing 5-timer at Fontwell (19.5f) in February. Had winning run ended at Sandown in March but he returns with yard going well.

Form: 111114-

Deyrann de Carjac²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: A King| OR: 131| D

14/1

Lightly raced since Grade 2 scorer in 2019/20, but he hinted strongly at a revival when fifth to Coole Cody in handicap over C&D 21 days ago. Shouldn't be underestimated off a reduced mark.

Form: 0/P-3505

Forecasts

Alnadam (5/1), Coole Cody (5/1), Zanza (6/1), Funambule Sivola (7/1), Simply The Betts (17/2), Galahad Quest (9/1), Vienna Court (10/1), Riders Onthe Storm (11/1), Deyrann de Carjac (14/1), Kauto Riko (20/1), Admiral Barratry (28/1), Janika (40/1), Espoir De Teillee (40/1), Magic Saint (50/1), A Toi Phil (50/1), High Up In The Air (50/1)

Venetia Williams' upwardly-mobile FUNAMBULE SIVOLA looks the way to go given he resumed with a promising second in Huntingdon's Peterborough Chase and is attractively weighted back in handicap company. Coole Cody and Zanza fought out a good finish over C&D last month and command plenty of respect once more, with Alnadam and Deyrann de Carjac both high on the shorttlist too in a cracking contest.