14:50 Cheltenham

Tuesday 14 March 2023

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

Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 30.55s

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Selected odds by:

Fanion D'estruval³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 155

33/1

Improved performer last season, taking 2½m handicap at Newbury and also third in Grade 1 Ascot Chase. Never figured in Coral Gold Cup on return but stepped up on that when third under this rider in Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. Disappointed in Denman Chase since but ground might have been too fast.

Form: 34-734

Happygolucky^p1⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 152| CD

16/1

Took very well to fences in 2020/21, second in this (off 5 lb higher) prior to winning Grade 3 handicap at Aintree. Missed all of last season but produced a most encouraging comeback when third in Rehearsal at Newcastle. Drop back in trip against him here since so worth another chance. Headgear on.

Form: 2121/30

Remastered^p,t³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 151| D

33/1

Smart chaser who made a winning return over hurdles at Aintree before excellent second in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Quickly resumed winning ways at Kempton but folded tamely back over hurdles at Sandown last time and that not the ideal prep for this. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 49-121P

The Big Breakaway^p⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 151| C

16/1

Smart novice chaser in 2020/21. Largely disappointed in a light campaign last season but firmly back on track this term, just denied at Haydock on return before excellent second in Welsh National at Chepstow, jumping better than usual. Stamina is his forte so any rain would be in his favour.

Form: F23P-22

Threeunderthrufive^t1⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Adrian Heskin| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| C

18/1

Enhanced good strike rate with 4 novice chase wins last season, notably Grade 2 events at Doncaster and Warwick. Needed comeback over hurdles before unseating at the first in Coral Cup at Newbury. Better than bare result in Classic at Warwick since and this test more suitable. Tongue strap fitted.

Form: 116-3U6

Fastorslow^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR: 150

7/1

Winning hurdler/chaser in France who came very close to winning the Coral Cup (off 9 lb lower) for this yard at this meeting a year ago. Stiff tasks when down the field in a couple of Grade 1s back over fences this term but this much more realistic and worth a go at this trip. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 02-255

The Goffer³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 149

7/1

Dual winning hurdler last season and has stepped up switched to fences this term, winning valuable event at Leopardstown on handicap debut 5 weeks ago. Remains unexposed and should have another big pot in him.

Form: 4-41231

Tea Clipper^p¹⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 147

33/1

Made a winning start over fences at Chepstow on return last season and generally good efforts in defeat after, including when third in London Gold Cup at Ascot in October. Ran poorly back over hurdles following month, however, and off since.

Form: 444-234

Into Overdrive^t⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 147

10/1

Different proposition over fences, completing the 4-timer on reappearance at Wetherby. Beaten only by L'Homme Presse in the Rehearsal at Newcastle next time before quickly resuming winning ways in Rowland Meyrick back at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Remains very much one to be interested in.

Form: 111-121

Corach Rambler^t¹⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 146| CD

6/1

Developed into a smart chaser last season, rounding off the campaign with an impressive win in this race off 6 lb lower. Made a satisfactory reappearance over a trip short of his best at Carlisle and duly stepped up on that when fourth in Coral Cup at Newbury. Another bold bid expected.

Form: 14U1-54

Cloudy Glen²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 145

40/1

Hard to predict but was runner-up in the Kim Muir 2 years ago and won the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (26f) on return last season. Well held next 2 starts but reappeared (after 13 months off) with a creditable third in Grand National Trial at Haydock.

Form: 2P/1P9-3

Nassalam^p⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 144

9/1

Had a good first season over fences, taking Newbury Grade 2 and ending campaign with success at Fontwell. Easily best effort this term when excellent third (in this headgear) in premier handicap here (20.6f) on New Year's Day, running on. Likely to stay this far and shortlisted.

Form: 221-563

Karl Philippe⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142

66/1

Resumed with 2m 4f win at Wetherby in November and backed it up off 7 lb higher mark when second in handicap there on Boxing Day. However, seemed to find the jump to a top-level handicap a bit too much here next time so opposable with stamina also to prove.

Form: 112-127

Top Ville Ben^h³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 140

33/1

Not the force of old but his mark now reflects that and was a good 3 lengths third of 23 to The Goffer in handicap chase (28/1) at Leopardstown (21.2f, good to soft) 37 days ago. This harder, however, and likely to find a few too strong again.

Form: 12P-353

Monbeg Genius^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 140

6/1

Point winner who tasted success in maiden/novice hurdles last term. Further progress over fences this season, completing the hat-trick in small field at Chepstow, dictating matters but still value extra (beat a subsequent winner). Doesn't have to lead and remains unexposed.

Form: 31-4111

Good Boy Bobby⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140

33/1

Successful twice at Wetherby last season, landing a listed handicap in October and the Rowland Meyrick (off 6 lb higher) on Boxing Day. Better for return when respectable fourth at Haydock but ran no sort of race there next time.

Form: 17P-74P

Oscar Elite^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: J Tizzard| OR: 139

8/1

Has a pretty underwhelming overall record over fences but he was finally off the mark in this sphere when winning 3-runner Reynoldstown at Ascot last month, albeit a weak renewal. Also ran his best race last season when third in this off 1 lb lower so claims can be made.

Form: 3P-50P1

Iceo Madrik^p1,t1⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 140

50/1

Useful chaser in France, creditable 4 lengths second of 12 in Grade 3 Bernard Secly Chase at Cagnes-sur-Mer on final start for David Cottin. Stiff task on yard/British debut.

Form: 366FF2

Laskalin²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135

66/1

Ex-French winner who returned after a wind op/10 months off with an emphatic success at Ludlow (25.6f, good to soft). Solid placed efforts at Newbury/Sandown next 2 starts but found his run of good form coming to an abrupt halt at Ascot last month. Others preferred.

Form: 25-1328

Harper's Brook^p1,t1⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: B Pauling| OR: 134

33/1

Twice a winner over hurdles who has improved for switch to chasing, runner-up at Carlisle on return prior to going one place better in a Bangor handicap (20.3f). However, well held up in grade in Dipper here on New Year's Day and bit to prove now up in trip with headgear/tongue strap applied.

Form: F21-215

Fantastikas^p1,t1²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

16/1

Progressive novice chaser last term (seventh in this last year off 12 lb higher) and he showed up well for a long way in a 27f handicap here on reappearance. Excuses since, jumping left when third at Wincanton latest, so could outrun odds in first-time headgear/tongue strap.

Form: 7P-60P3

The Wolf^b,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: O Murphy| OR: 130

25/1

Back on track (following another wind op) when second over C&D on return. However, hasn't been in the same form since and others are more appealing despite being on a career-low mark over fences.

Form: 7-20864

Glamorgan Duke¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny Gilligan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Gilligan| OR: 128

66/1

Had lost his way but bounced back to best when 2 lengths second (splitting The Goffer and Top Ville Ben) of 23 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (21.2f) last month, a race he won in 2020 (lightly raced after). Remains to be seen if able to back that up (out of race too soon next time).

Form: 43932U

Forecasts

Corach Rambler (6/1), Monbeg Genius (6/1), Fastorslow (7/1), The Goffer (7/1), Oscar Elite (8/1), Nassalam (9/1), Into Overdrive (10/1), Happygolucky (16/1), Fantastikas (16/1), The Big Breakaway (16/1), Threeunderthrufive (18/1), The Wolf (25/1), Tea Clipper (33/1), Fanion D'estruval (33/1), Good Boy Bobby (33/1), Harper's Brook (33/1), Top Ville Ben (33/1), Remastered (33/1), Cloudy Glen (40/1), Iceo Madrik (50/1), Karl Philippe (66/1), Laskalin (66/1), Glamorgan Duke (66/1)

One of the few races Britain has dominated and the thriving INTO OVERDRIVE looks the pick of the home team. He continued his remarkable progress when immediately resuming winning ways in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day and his assured jumping/battling qualities are big attributes for a race of this nature. Corach Rambler was a most impressive winner of this last year and has presumably been kept fresh with this event in mind, with Happygolucky also high on the shortlist.