13:50 Cheltenham
Saturday 28 January 2023
All11:4012:1012:4013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10
Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f 127y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 16 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 5m 12.13s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Career best when easily winning 2m4f handicap chase at Aintree on return. Set a lot to do and not seen to best effect when 11th in New Year's Day Handicap over C&D since. Well worth another chance.
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Won 5 of his first 6 starts over fences, including the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last October. Disappointing since, though, and refused to settle when beating only one in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f) 32 days ago.
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3-time C&D scorer who got back to winning ways in 2-runner Grade 2 at Ascot (21f) in November by 10 lengths from Saint Calvados. Well-beaten fifth of 6 at Kempton 14 days ago but bounce back not ruled out here.
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Regained winning thread at Kempton (3m) last January but has a patchy record and below form fifth of 10 in handicap chase at Chepstow (23.6f) 56 days ago. Needs his subsequent wind op to spark a resurgence.
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Won the Plate over C&D in 2020 and creditable seventh in Paddy Power Gold Cup here on reappearance. Below par ninth back here last time however so more is needed.
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Resumed with 2m4f win at Wetherby in November and backed it up off 7 lb higher mark with second of 10 in handicap there 33 days ago. One for the shortlist.
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Looks more mature this season and has taken his form up a level, easily landing 12-runner handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) 32 days ago. Big shout despite taking a 10 lb hike in the weights.
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Doubled his tally over fences at Ascot last January but was completing for the first time since when fourth of 12 to Fugitif in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f) 32 days ago. Not ruled out if building on that run.
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Grade 2 novice chase winner in January 2021. Lightly raced since and not disgraced when third of 12 to Fugitif in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f) 32 days ago. No forlorn hope.
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Useful novice chaser who has shaped well when strong-travelling fourth in Paddy Power Gold Cup and New Year's Day Handicap over C&D this term. Cheekpieces on 1st time now and merits plenty of respect.
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Regular in competitive handicaps and arrives in good nick, not quite getting home when seventh over 3m2f here last time in first-time blinkers. Considered back at this trip now.
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Took very well to fences last term, winning 3 times, and resumed with good second of 7 in handicap chase at Hereford (20.9f) 38 days ago, headed after blunder at the last. Merits consideration.
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Has an excellent record when fresh and an impressive scorer in 21f handicap chase at Ascot on his return in Novemer. Backed it up with solid fifth at Kempton off a 10 lb higher mark and ought to be in the shake-up eased 1 lb.
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Scored at Market Rasen in September but well held both starts since and his jumping is continuing to look an issue.
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Signed off for last term with C&D success and back with solid efforts to make the frame at Market Rasen and Sandown. Enters calculations once more.
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Comes here in good nick but he extended his run of placings when third at Ludlow in first-time cheekpieces last month. Bit more is needed to get back to winning ways.
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Non-Runners
15
Now Where Or When85
Weight: 10-4| Age: 8
T: S R B Crawford J: J J Slevin
NR
Forecasts
Fugitif (7/2), Il Ridoto (9/2), Your Darling (6/1), Karl Philippe (9/1), Phoenix Way (11/1), Silver Hallmark (12/1), Now Where Or When (12/1), Brave Seasca (12/1), Precious Eleanor (14/1), Nocte Volatus (14/1), Guy (16/1), Coole Cody (18/1), Simply The Betts (18/1), Spiritofthegames (22/1), Caribean Boy (33/1), One True King (66/1), Allmankind (66/1)
Lots with chances but FUGITIF has returned an improved model this term and a 10 lb rise for his most impressive Chepstow success could still underestimate him. Il Ridoto has shaped well to twice claim fourth spot over C&D this winter and seems sure to be on the premises again, especially if the fitting of cheekpieces ekes out some improvement. Brave Seasca and Nocte Volatus complete the shortlist.
- Fugitif7/2
- Il Ridoto9/2
- Brave Seasca12/1
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £56,270.002nd: £21,200.003rd: £10,610.004th: £5,300.005th: £2,660.006th: £1,330.007th: £660.008th: £340.00
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