Ultimate Cheltenham Festival Guide On attheraces.com/cheltenham Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 4m 46.45s

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Selected odds by:

The Grey Falco^p1¹¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 112

9/4

Mixed record over hurdles last season (successful at Haydock 13 months ago). Undone by a couple of shuddering errors on return/chase debut at Chepstow (2m) in November and since switched yards. Headgear applied.

Form: 61730-P

Wewillgowithplanb¹³²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 111

11/4

Ended his time in Ireland with 2m Tramore maiden hurdle win in July 2021 and he posted a good second for his new stable in 2m handicap at Worcester in May after 10 months off. However, well held back there in October and off since. Chase debut.

Form: 4/881-28

Across The Line^b,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Hosie| OR: 110

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser for Dan Skelton. Won a Stratford hunter chase for this yard in May but has found life harder in handicap company since. Becoming well treated at least and this shorter trip will suit.

Form: 653804

Police Academy²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 102

9/2

Won sole start in Irish points and again shaped with some promise when third of 8 in novice hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f, good) 22 days ago. Makes chase/handicap debut. Respected.

Form: 1-5343

Letsbe Avenue^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 85| D

9/2

Quickly off the mark over jumps for new yard in Taunton handicap chase in December, albeit rather fortunate. Got no further than the first there next time but back on track when second at Leicester. Player off same mark.

Form: 724-1U2

Non-Runners

Extraordinary Man²⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: D G Bridgwater J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

The Grey Falco (9/4), Wewillgowithplanb (11/4), Police Academy (9/2), Letsbe Avenue (9/2), Extraordinary Man (9/2), Across The Line (6/1)

An open handicap which can go the way of LETSBE AVENUE, who enhanced his good start for this yard when second off this mark at Leicester. Across The Line hinted at a revival over a trip too far at Taunton 2 weeks ago and is feared most off his reduced mark.