17:30 Cheltenham

Tuesday 14 March 2023

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

WellChild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 7m 59.62s

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Selected odds by:

Chemical Energy⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| OR: 147| C

8/1

Useful, dual winner over hurdles who shaped better than the bare result when eighth in last year's Martin Pipe. Looked one to keep onside when registering back-to-back novice chase victories in the autumn (at up to 3m) and type to bounce back from lesser display at Naas in January. Interesting.

Form: 185-114

Coolvalla^p⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Joshua Newman| T: C Gordon| OR: 130

50/1

Hurdles winner who has improved markedly for switch to chasing, maintaining 100% record when completing 4-timer at Fontwell (27.7f) in January, in command when forging clear from 3 out. Remains open to further improvement with emphasis on stamina but good deal more needed at this level.

Form: 15-1111

Fakiera^b,t1⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D G Lavery| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

50/1

Useful hurdler (Grade 3 winner) who remains a maiden over fences but again ran well when runner-up at Punchestown (22.7f) on penultimate start in January. Lesser display in Thyestes Chase later that month and whilst he stays this far, he needs to pull out more to play a lead role. Tongue tie added.

Form: 652420

Gaillard Du Mesnil³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155

10/11

Very smart chaser who finished third in last year's Brown Advisory here prior to filling same spot in Irish Grand National. Posted solid placed efforts behind Mighty Potter either side of opening his chase account in Grade 1 over Christmas and he's very much the one to beat back up in trip.

Form: 333-213

Mahler Mission^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr J C Barry| T: J C McConnell| OR: 146| BF

13/2

Progressive 3-time winner over hurdles and improved further over fences, off the mark in a Navan maiden (3m, soft) in January prior to career-best second in Grade 2 novice back at that venue last month, not fluent last but keeping on. Unexposed granted this sort of test and sound each-way claims.

Form: 71-2312

Malinello^t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: B Pauling| OR: 130

125/1

Fairly useful hurdler who made light of an almost 2-year absence to score on chase debut at Newcastle (23.4f) in November. Best not judged too harshly on his sixth-place finish over 2½m here in January but whilst it remains early days, he has plenty to find on these terms upped markedly in trip.

Form: 12/136

Minella Crooner^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: G Elliott| OR: 146| BF

13/2

Useful hurdler and excellent start over fences when second in Punchestown Gr 2 in November. Confirmed promise to go one place better in maiden at Fairyhouse (21f) in December and shaped like this greater test is worth exploring when runner-up in rated chase back at that venue (23.5f) 5 weeks ago.

Form: -P2132

Mister Coffey³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145| BF

11/1

Talented but rather frustrating performer who shaped very well when runner-up in the Kim Muir 12 months ago. Never threatened over the National fences final start but firmly back on track this term, runner-up at Uttoxeter 31 days ago (clear of remainder). Expected to give another good account.

Form: 2220-22

Tenzing⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr N McParlan| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143| BF

9/1

Low-mileage 6-y-o who tasted success on sole start over hurdles and solid start over fences this term, albeit no match for Mahler Mission in Navan maiden (3m) back in January. Feasible to think he could have more to offer for his very powerful yard but expected to find a few too good here.

Form: 231-322

Bellatrixsa³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Lucy Turner| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124

125/1

Versatile mare who has tasted success 4 times over hurdles and added to her tally on Flat at Chester (18.6f) last May. Has showed aptitude for chasing in 2 starts since the turn of the year but hard to envisage her making an impact at this level on these terms.

Form: 1142-43

Forecasts

Gaillard Du Mesnil (10/11), Minella Crooner (13/2), Mahler Mission (13/2), Chemical Energy (8/1), Tenzing (9/1), Mister Coffey (11/1), Coolvalla (50/1), Fakiera (50/1), Malinello (125/1), Bellatrixsa (125/1)

GAILLARD DU MESNIL quickly made up into a very smart chaser last term, third in Grade 1 company at this meeting prior to filling the same spot in the Irish Grand National in April. Deservedly off the mark in this sphere at Leopardstown over Christmas, he lost little caste in defeat behind Mighty Potter last time and he's very much the one to beat stepping back up in trip. Chemical Energy is an intriguing runner for Gordon Elliott and is feared, along with Mahler Mission and Minella Crooner.