15:45 Chepstow

Wednesday 24 January 2024

All12:5513:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

cheltenhamfestival.com Cheltenham Festival Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 5m 19.44s

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Selected odds by:

Kings Keeper^p⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 122

16/1

Irish import who made a good start for this yard in 2022/23, placing twice prior to scoring in decisive fashion over hurdles at Ffos Las. Looked rusty back over fences on return in November and no surprise to see an improved showing here.

Form: 231P5-5

Moonlighter⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 119| BF| CD

14/1

C&D winner. 13/8, creditable third of 7 in handicap chase at Lingfield (20f, good to soft) 44 days ago. Looks the most solid proposition in a thin race.

Form: 3145-53

Hermes Du Gouet⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115| BF

11/4

Point winner who was much improved when making all in 2m Exeter novice hurdle last January. Failed to kick on after 7 months off when fifth in handicap chase there on his return but not written off. Engaged 3.20 Leicester Tuesday.

Form: 64137-5

I Shut That D'or^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 112| BF

28/1

Fairly useful course winner over hurdles who shaped as if better for the run when third of 4 on chase debut at Fontwell in October. Has failed to complete on both subsequent outings, though.

Form: 514-3UP

Skinflint^p⁴¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 110| CD

28/1

Dual winner here last season (including over C&D) so, while he returned with a tame effort at Taunton 41 days ago, he's not one to completely write off.

Form: 2/3114-7

Rock Of Star⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 107| CD

9/4

Brought the curtain down on last season's campaign with back-to-back wins in 23.6f handicaps here. Has gone backwards from his reappearance this term, though.

Form: 411-365

Kingofthewest^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: D Pipe| OR: 103| D

7/2

Dual winner over hurdles who acquitted himself well on his first two starts over the larger obstacles but came in a tame fourth at Wincanton last time. Needs to get back on track with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 5B3-434

Walkinthewoods²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 102| BF| C

12/1

Off the mark over timber at this track (2m) in October 2022 and doubled his tally at Ffos Las in May. Narrowly denied on first 2 starts back this term (including at Ffos Las on chase bow last month) but last couple of runs have been poor.

Form: 4-12255

Valirann Gold^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: H Brown| OR: 81| C

10/1

Turned in his best effort of the season when second of 7 at Fontwell (17.8f, soft) 29 days ago. Has a job on from out of the weights, though.

Form: 33-9852

Non-Runners

Samtara⁴¹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 10

T: M Keighley J: James Best

Forecasts

Rock Of Star (9/4), Hermes Du Gouet (11/4), Kingofthewest (7/2), Valirann Gold (10/1), Walkinthewoods (12/1), Moonlighter (14/1), Samtara (14/1), Kings Keeper (16/1), Skinflint (28/1), I Shut That D'or (28/1)

MOONLIGHTER is well treated and arrives on the back of a creditable run at Lingfield, so he makes most appeal for all that there are always slight reservations in regard to his jumping. Hermes du Gouet is unexposed and capable of better, while Skinflint shouldn't be dismissed returning to a track that suits him.