Sixth Race 4.35

The William Hill Cheltenham Extra Places Every Day

Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5)

for five yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £10300 Owners Prize Money. 1st £4160, 2nd £2080, 3rd £1040, 4th £520, 5th £260. (Penalty Value £5439.43)

Race Description

This two miles steeple chase has been designed for five-year-olds and upwards which are rated from 0 to 105. In most National Hunt handicaps, there is a minimum weight of 10st 2lb so any horse whose official rating would allocate them less than that still has to shoulder that burden. The horses that fall into this category are said to be racing from ‘out of the handicap’ – usually a distinct disadvantage.

colours no horse age

1 ROOSTER COGBURN (IRE) (18) FP-561P D

Br B g Westerner - Hollygrove (IRE) Ben Jones J

O Mr Gwilym J. Morris Peter Bowen, Haverfordwest T

B Oliver and Salome Brennan Gwilym J. Morris & Son S

TIMEFORMVIEWJumped well and had plenty in hand when landing 2m handicap chase at Hereford in February.Did too much too soon over longer trip when pulled up at Huntingdon (19.9f) 18 days ago so worth another chance. TFRHHHHI BHA107

2 FANZIO (FR) (18) 234U43 D

8 11-12

Br B g Day Flight - Tu L’As Eu (FR) Gavin Sheehan J

O Mr Richard Hobson Richard Hobson, Little Rissington T

B Jean Brest R H Bloodstock S

TIMEFORMVIEWHas fallen a long way in the weights since winning at Perth back inApril 2021 but continues below par,tried in blinkers when remote Huntingdon third last time Others appeal more.

3 COURT ROYALE (IRE) (19) 2412P5 CD

TFRHHIII BHA103

10 11-11

Br B g Court Cave (IRE) - Windsor Dancer (IRE) Adam Wedge J

O Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams, Llancarfan T

B William Flood Prysg Cyf S

TIMEFORMVIEW Course winner but he arrives out of sorts, remote fifth of 8 back hurdling at Ludlow (15.8f) 19 days ago.Visor on 1st time.

4 DOYANNIE (IRE) (14) 233-021 9

Br Ch m Doyen (IRE) - Annie May (IRE) Rex Dingle J

O Barber, French & Shortland Anthony Honeyball, Beaminster T

B Greg Rossiter & Denis Hickey Peckmoor Farm Lodges S

TIMEFORMVIEWConfirmed promise of her previous runner-up effort when easily going one better in handicap chase at Plumpton (17f) 14 days ago. Up 9lb but she can go in again. TFRHHHHH BHA100

5 BLUE RIBBON (GB) (21) 0U64-04 D

8 11-5

Br B g Sayif (IRE) - Mar Blue (FR) Sean Houlihan J

O Mr Ryan G. Chapman Ryan Chapman, St Mawgan T

B R. W. K. Lewis

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair 2m hurdles winner for Dr Richard Newland in 2021. Off 16 months and not disgraced for new yard on both chasing stats, fourth of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (16f) 21 days ago. Not discounted off an easing mark. TFRHHHII BHA96

6 FOLLY GATE (FR) (34) 202UF5

8 11-4

Br B g Montmartre (FR) - Cate Bleue (FR) David Noonan J

O Mrs J Williams & Mr R Stark

Mrs Jane Williams, South Molton T

B Mr Francois-Marie Cottin Culverhill Farm Racing S

TIMEFORMVIEW Remains a maiden after 22 runs but he posted a respectable fifth of 10 in handicap chase here (18.2f) 34 days ago. Enters calculations if keeping his mistakes to a minimum.

7 URABAMBA (IRE) (34) 65-0436 D

Br B g Arctic Cosmos (USA) - Glaisdale

O Kayley Woollacott Racing Club

B J. Mangan

TFRHHHII BHA95

8 10-7

Ben Godfrey (3) J

Kayley Woollacott, Crewkerne T

The Firehouse Somerset S

TIMEFORMVIEW Winner of 2m Wexford maiden hurdle for Henry de Bromhead in summer 2021 but only modest form shown in three runs over fences for current yard. Needs to take a step forward.

8 ESTATE ITALIANA (USA) (19) 00-0U41 D

Br B or Br g Elusive Quality (USA) - Unaccompanied (IRE)

O Team Dunn

B Moyglare Stud

TFRHHHII BHA84

6 10-3

Jamie Brace (7) J

Alexandra Dunn, Wellington T

Alexandra Dunn Racing Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEW Posted a career best to get off the mark in 6-runner handicap chase at Ludlow (16f) 19 days ago. Up 6lb but still low mileage and can make his presence felt again.

TFRHHHHI BHA80

9 SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (FR) (12) 320P33 BF

Br Gr g Doctor Dino (FR) - School of Thought (FR) James Best J

O Mr Paul Anthony Mann Joe Tickle, Tiverton T

B Mme Henri Devin

TIMEFORMVIEWArrives in decent nick,third of 6 in handicap chase atWincanton (20.2f,good) 12 days ago.Ought to be in the shake-up despite being 2lb out of the handicap. TFRHHHII BHA77

10 GAELIC THUNDER (GB) (33) 6432U6

8 10-2

Br B g Arvico (FR) - Gaelic Lime Finn Lambert (5) J

O Mrs Jacqui Elliott Chris Honour, Ashburton T

B Mrs Jacqui Elliott Cotswold Stone Supplies S

TIMEFORMVIEWRemains a maiden after 19 outings and he beat only one in 7-runner handicap chase at Southwell (15.8f) 33 days ago.

Hard to warm to from 5lb out of the handicap. TFRHHIII BHA74

DECLARED RUNNERS 10

2022: MASTER MIKEY DEE (IRE) 7 10 0 Harry Reed 16-1 (Richenda Ford) 9 ran

Visor worn first time by No. 3. Hood worn by No. 1. Tongue Strap worn by No. 4, 6, 7, 8.

Blinkers, Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 10.

Stewards Note:

GAELIC THUNDER: Following its run on 8/2/2023 it was reported that the horse jumped badly right-handed.

Probable S.P’s: 3-1 Doyannie (IRE), 4-1 Estate Italiana (USA), 5-1 School For Scandal (FR), 10-1 Folly Gate (FR), 11-1 Rooster Cogburn (IRE), 12-1 Urabamba (IRE), 18-1 Gaelic Thunder (GB), 20-1 Fanzio (FR), 28-1 Court Royale (IRE), 33-1 Blue Ribbon (GB)

PLAY SMARTER

DOYANNIE had plenty in hand when scoring at Plumpton a fortnight ago and a 9lb hike in the weights doesn’t look sufficient to stop her from following up. Estate Italiana won in good style at Ludlow last time though and should ensure Anthony Honeyball’s mare doesn’t have things all her own way. Rooster Cogburn will benefit from dropping back in trip and needs considering too.