FOURTH RACE 3.42

THE JENNINGSBET CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) (For The Harry Dufosee Memorial Cup) for five yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £22000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £8886, 2nd £4442, 3rd £2222, 4th £1111, 5th £554.

(Penalty Value £11618.20)

Leading course trainer (17-22): P Nicholls (80 wins from 293 runners, 27%) runs SWITCH HITTER

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): P Nicholls (10 wins from 50 runners, 20%) runs SWITCH HITTER

Weightwatcher: CAPTAIN TOMMY won off a handicap mark of 122, his rating is now down 5lb to 117 colours no horse age st-lb

Longest Traveller: CAPTAIN TOMMY trained by I Williams, Alvechurch, 111 miles.

1 FANTASTIKAS (FR) (53) 10P-60P

8 12-0

Br B g Davidoff (GER) - Negresse de Cuta (FR) Sam Twiston-Davies J

O Imperial Racing Partnership 2016 Nigel Twiston-Davies, Cheltenham T

B Mr R. Van Haaren & Mr E. Van Haaren Agetur (UK) Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Largely progressive novice chaser last term and he showed up well for a long way in a 27f Cheltenham handicap on his reappearance. Struggled in Becher/Welsh National thereafter but given a break since and this rates more suitable TFRHHHHI BHA135

2 SWITCH HITTER (IRE) (71) F/1322-0 D

8 11-12

Br B g Scorpion (IRE) - Country Time (IRE) Bryony Frost J

O Hills of Ledbury Ltd Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T

B Liam Norris Morson Group S

TIMEFORM VIEWDualhurdleswinnerwhomadewinningchasebowatHereford(25.2f)lastwinter Creditableplacedeffortson2ofnext3 starts but he did back out of things rather disconcertingly on Cheltenham return in December. Absent since. TFRHHHII BHA133

3 SAM BARTON (GB) (80) 3233-14

8 11-4

Br B g Black Sam Bellamy (IRE) - Bartons Bride (IRE) Tom Bellamy J

O Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Emma Lavelle Marlborough T

B H.R.H. The Princess Royal Trust Inns Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEWFairlyusefulhurdler/chaserwhowasbetterthaneverwhenmakingwinningreturntoactionatWorcester(23f)inOctober. However, not in same form at Ludlow a month later and couple of others make more appeal back from a break.

TFRHHHII BHA125

4 CAPTAIN TOMMY (IRE) (53) UP23-0P C 9 10-10

Br B g Court Cave (IRE) - Freemantle Doctor (IRE) James Bowen J

O Mr Richard J. Gurr Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

B Thomas Bruton Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEWDisappointedonfinalstartforDavidBridgwateratUttoxeter(3m)inthespringandsimilarlyofferedlittlereturningfrom8months offforpresentyardatKempton(3m)overChristmas.Hadwindopaheadofthisandbettingmayproveaninformativeguide

TFRHHHII BHA117

5 EDE’IFFS ELTON (GB) (54) 14-PF34 CD BF 9 10-9

Br B g Geordieland (FR) - Ede’iff Harry Kimber (3) J

O Mr A. Lees Robert Walford, Blandford T

B Mr A. F. Lees Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEWAll3careerwinshavecomeoverfencesatthiscourse,thelatestinthisrace12monthsago Runningwithcreditindefeatlateon lastyearand,onbackofawindop,itwouldcomeasnosurprisetoseeaboldshowingfromwhatratesahandymark.

6 WAKE UP EARLY (IRE) (76) 13-2120

TFRHHHHH BHA116

9 10-8

Br Ch g Doyen (IRE) - Wake Me Gently (IRE) Lee Edwards J

O Dr R. D. P. Newland Dr Richard Newland, Droitwich T

B Mrs Ann Eustace Coulthursts Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Bright start for this yard last spring, adding to his tally at Market Rasen (27.5f) in May. Warmed to his task when second on return atMusselburgh(31.5f)inNovemberbutnotinsameforminBordersNationalatKelsoamonthlater.Still,thisratesmoresuitable

TFRHHHII BHA115

DECLARED RUNNERS 6 2022: EDE’IFFS ELTON 8 10 2 Jamie Moore 4-1 (Robert Walford) 4 ran

Tongue Strap worn by No 3, 5. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No 5, 6. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No 4, 5.

Stewards Note:

SAM BARTON: Following its run on 30/11/2022 it was reported that the horse was found to have bled.

Probable S.P’s: 9-4

Ede’iffs Elton (GB), 4-1 Sam Barton (GB), 9-2 Fantastikas (FR), 11-2

Wake Up Early (IRE), 6-1 Switch Hitter (IRE), 12-1 Captain Tommy (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

EDE’IFFS ELTON wasn’t shaping up at all badly late on last year, and having enhanced his solid record over this C&D when taking this race 12 months ago, he could well be ready to strike operating from only 1lb higher now. Fantastikas, returned to calmer waters, and Wake Up Early may emerge as the chief threats.

TODAY’S RACE SPONSOR

find out more about today’s race sponsor at jenningsbet.com

EACH-WAY BETTING TERMS

Working alongside the Racecourse Association (RCA), bookmakers have introduced standard each-way betting terms across Jockey Club Racecourses. Bookmakers will provide these terms, or better, when offering each-way betting.

• Fewer than 3 runners: win bets only, no places offered

• 3 or 4 runners: all to win. Where a bookmaker wishes to depart from this default position he may offer place terms for 3 or 4 runners, this must be at 1/5 odds a place 1-2

• 5 to 7 runners (inclusive): 1/4 (one quarter) odds for finishing 1st or 2nd

• 8 or more runners: 1/5 odds for finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd

• Handicap races with 12 to 15 runners (inclusive): 1/4 odds for finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd

• Handicap races with 16 to 21 runners (inclusive): 1/5 odds for finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th

• Handicap races with 22 or more runners: 1/4 odds for finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th

E: info@thejockeyclub.co.uk

W: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk