Virgin Bet Cheltenham Festival Money Back Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 38.82s

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Selected odds by:

Whosmydaddy^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 97| D

7/4

No significant impact in maiden/novice hurdles but proved a different proposition sent chasing for his handicap debut in first-time headgear, scoring in impressive fashion at Musselburgh (23.6f, soft) 19 days ago. Seems sure to progress and win more races in this sphere.

Form: 10-8061

Wavelength³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 94| D

6/1

Fair maiden hurdler in Ireland for Gavin Cromwell. Got off the mark for his new yard in handicap chase at Hexham 22 months ago and gradually been finding his feet this season, looking on the verge of a full-scale revival when third at Carlisle (24.5f, soft) last month.

Form: 62/1-P43

High Roller^t⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 92

25/1

Fared better than previously over hurdles when third of 7 in novice company at Kelso (2m) last March. Had further wind operation ahead of return/handicap debut but dropped away tamely at this track just before Christmas. Upped markedly in trip for his chase debut and probably best watched.

Form: 4/373-P

Euchan Falls^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: R M Smith| OR: 87| C

6/1

Dual winner at 20f over hurdles who made a solid start over fences but having been well supported, hasn't been on his game the last twice. Still early days for him in this sphere and heads up to 3m for the first time.

Form: P04254

Azof Des Mottes^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 86

12/1

Looked value for extra when winning 14-runner handicap chase at Kelso in April. Broke blood vessel on reappearance there in January but took a step back in the right direction when third at this venue (20.5f, heavy) since. More needed for win purposes. however.

Form: 451-363

Baron Briggs^p1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: A M Thomson| OR: 82| BF

9/2

Better efforts since undergoing a wind op, finishing third in handicaps at Kelso (17f), Musselburgh (20.3f) and over C&D on his last 3 starts. This lightly-raced 7-y-o remains unexposed over fences (and as a stayer) and needs considering in first-time headgear.

Form: 033-333

Cowboy Cooper²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: D W Whillans| OR: 79| BF

5/1

Remains winless following 11 attempts overall but he made a positive start in this sphere when third in an 11-runner handicap at Catterick (25.2f, soft) in January. Easy to put a line through his latest effort over C&D (in need of a stiffer test) so he shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 46-3337

Non-Runners

Heritier De Sivola²⁴

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: P A Kirby J: Joe Williamson

Forecasts

Whosmydaddy (7/4), Heritier De Sivola (4/1), Baron Briggs (9/2), Cowboy Cooper (5/1), Euchan Falls (6/1), Wavelength (6/1), Azof Des Mottes (12/1), High Roller (25/1)

Having shown precious little previously, WHOSMYDADDY bolted up on his chasing debut at Musselburgh last month and sure to progress in this sphere, Sandy Thomson's 6-y-o is strongly fancied to defy an 8 lb rise and remain unbeaten over the larger obstacles. The main threat may emerge from Heritier de Sivola, who stopped the slide over a staying trip for the first time over fences here 3 weeks ago, while Baron Briggs and Wavelength aren't out of things, either.