16:10 Cheltenham
Thursday 14 March 2024
All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30
TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f 127y | Soft | 21 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 5m 29.11s
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Selected odds by:
Smart hurdler who was highly tried on back of maiden chase debut success last term. Lines up here having made the frame in competitive big-field handicaps at Leopardstown in recent months and fancied to give a good account for leading outfit.
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All the better for his stable debut when running out a dominant winner of listed handicap chase at Navan (20.5f) in December. Fared better than being pulled up suggests at Leopardstown later that month but has underperformed both outings since. Likely to come up short.
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Likeable C&D winner who ran another fine race around here when third behind Ga Law over C&D in January. Seemed stretched by step up to 3m when tenth of 12 in handicap at Kempton 3 weeks ago but he was sixth in this race from same mark 12 months ago. Each-way possibilities.
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Failed to kick on from chase debut success last season but firmly back on track switched to handicaps this term, building on his Limerick reappearance run when second of 18 in Thyestes Chase at Gowran (25f) 7 weeks ago. Drop back in trip won't inconvenience him here.
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Smart hurdler who has quickly reached a similar level over fences this season, off the mark at the fourth attempt in a Gowran maiden (20f, heavy) 26 days ago. Open to further improvement now handicapping and leading yard's runners always command respect.
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Back-to-back winner at around 2m6f over fences last summer and ran well from inflated mark when second at Punchestown (21.3f) in November. Still close up when blundering and fading into fifth behind Embittered at Navan in December but he was well held from lower mark in this race last year.
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Finished an excellent third in this race 12 months ago and returned better than ever this campaign, confirming positives of his sixth in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury when winning C&D handicap on New Year's Day from Frero Banbou, jumping superbly. Should give another good account nudged up 3 lb.
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Useful at his best over hurdles and better form over fences, running just about his best race to date despite taking a strong hold when good second in 25-runner Leopardstown handicap (21.5f) 39 days ago. Feasible to think he can do better again on back of just 4 starts in this sphere.
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Hit the ground running returned to this sphere when landing pair of small-field novice events at Wexford last summer. Seemed to find step up to 3m too taxing later last year and got no further than the first at Leopardstown (21.5f) 6 weeks ago. Others preferred.
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Progressive novice hurdler who was shaping up most promisingly prior to falling on return/chase debut here in November. Made mistakes when fourth behind Ginny's Destiny over C&D next time but off the mark in 3-runner Exeter novice (19.2f) 32 days ago. Type to do better again now back handicapping.
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Dual hurdles/chase winner who ran well to make frame in staying handicaps during first half of this season. Struggled to make an impact in big-field handicap at Leopardstown (24.4f, heavy) over Christmas and he looks summed up by his mark on balance. First-time tongue tie.
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Produced a career-best effort when signing off last term with success at Punchestown (21.2f) in April but lightly raced and not a great deal of encouragement to glean from recent exploits, pulled up over hurdles at Naas last month. Good bit to prove returned to chasing.
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Lost his way a little last season but returned in good order, chasing home the progressive Madara over 2m here in December. Looked likely winner when unseating last at Sandown (15.5f) 6 weeks ago and remains with unfinished business at this sort of trip. Interesting.
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Useful, dual-winning hurdler who again shaped very well over fences when runner-up to Ginny's Destiny in the Timeform Novices' Handicap over C&D in January, outpaced when pace lifted before 3 out but coming home strongly. That form is very strong and he's of firm interest up 3 lb.
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Useful chaser who ended time with Willie Mullins with success in small-field minor event at Sligo (21.2f) in September. Changed hands for 21,000 gns a month later/had wind surgery but his jumping has never been the most convincing for demands of a race like this.
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Smart chaser at his peak for Willie Mullins (also third in the 2019 Fred Winter), but he's failed to beat a rival in 2 outings for present stable and he's hard to make a case for.
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Winning hurdler who has run to a similar level in trio of chase starts this winter, keeping on for second in Punchestown maiden (2m, heavy) 25 days ago. Step up in trip promises to suit now handicapping and interesting Rachael Blackmore takes the ride as one of 3 runners from this yard.
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Dual winner over fences last term who was second in 4-runner Ascot Grade 2 in November but not got near that level in 2 subsequent outings, well held in race won by Ga Law over C&D in January. Needs to bounce back in refitted cheekpieces.
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Winless for over 2 years but consistent upon returning this campaign, second behind Shakem Up'Arry over C&D in January. Chance-ending mistake when pulled up at Lingfield next time and given more of a break following a lesser display at Musselburgh in February. Midfield in this race 12 months ago.
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9-y-o who has tasted success 3 times at up to 3m over fences and right up to best (on back of wind surgery) when third at Kempton (3m) in February. Couldn't match that up in class back at that venue 3 weeks ago and all 4 career victories have come on right-handed tracks. Cheekpieces added.
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Opened chase account over C&D on final outing of 2021/22 season. Has shaped as if retaining ability following lengthy absence in recent months but will need to keep the errors at bay if he's to play a meaningful role here.
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Forecasts
Theatre Man (10/3), Crebilly (7/2), Saint Felicien (13/2), Shakem Up'arry (8/1), Arctic Bresil (11/1), James Du Berlais (12/1), In Excelsis Deo (14/1), Il Ridoto (14/1), Riaan (20/1), Glengouly (25/1), Straw Fan Jack (28/1), Life In The Park (28/1), Frero Banbou (28/1), Watch House Cross (28/1), Killer Kane (40/1), Torn And Frayed (50/1), Embittered (80/1), Mars Harper (80/1), Ciel De Neige (100/1), Fighter Allen (100/1), Hereditary Rule (125/1)
A useful, dual winner over hurdles, THEATRE MAN has yet to taste success over fences, but he won't be long in bucking that trend judged on his fine second in the Timeform Novices' Handicap (very strong form) over C&D in January, and with the prospect of more to come, he can prove a 3 lb rise lenient and prevail. Recent Exeter-scorer Crebilly is another of significant interest provided his jumping holds up back in handicaps, with Saint Felicien and In Excelsis Deo other improvers to note.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £67,524.002nd: £25,440.003rd: £12,732.004th: £6,360.005th: £3,192.006th: £1,596.007th: £792.008th: £408.00
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