Cheltenham

Tomorrow, December 13, 2024ChaseClass 22m4f

Verdict

A strong-looking renewal of this veterans' race, with SHAN BLUE shading preference on the back of an encouraging reappearance at Bangor. He promises to be suited by this drop back in trip and gets the nod ahead of Dashel Drasher, who has also slipped to an attractive mark and put in a good shift back over fences in a Grade 2 at Ascot last month. Dual C&D winner Shakem Up'arry will be a danger to all if fully tuned-up, while Warwick 1-2 Torn And Frayed and Eldorado Allen also merit respect.

Shan Blue
Dashel Drasher
Shakem Uparry

2m4f Hcap Chs

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

3. Shakem Uparry
J: Ben JonesT: Ben Pauling
F: 534/P6110-
Price History:
5.50
Age:
10
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
149
Days Since Last Run:
245
Verdict
Done little wrong in 4 runs over fences here (form figures read 5311), bettering his third-place finish in the 2023 Plate at the Festival when winning last season's renewal of that valuable C&D handicap. Clearly wasn't on-song at Aintree when last seen in April and he has to enter calculations.
5. Seddon
J: B. W. HarveyT: John McConnell, Ireland
F: 1111/23-8P
Price History:
6.00
Age:
11
Weight:
11-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
146
Days Since Last Run:
61
Verdict
Lightly-raced since landing the C&D Plate at the 2023 Festival but there's been little in the way of regression in the interim judged on his Flat exploits this year, winning a couple of minor events prior to a creditable effort in a valuable Naas handicap. Resumes in this sphere on a fair mark.
7. Shan Blue
J: Harry SkeltonT: Dan Skelton
F: P/PP33-4
Price History:
6.50
Age:
10
Weight:
11-5
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
141
Days Since Last Run:
30
Verdict
Very smart chaser at best and, though winless since landing the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton almost 4 years ago, he shaped well when fourth of 10 on his seasonal reappearance at Bangor (3m, soft). This drop back in trip looks a good move and, on a nice mark, he has to be taken seriously.
4. Dashel Drasher
J: Rex DingleT: Jeremy Scott
F: 6/313487-3
Price History:
5.50
Age:
11
Weight:
11-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
149
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Tough and likeable sort who's known more as a smart-staying hurdler nowadays, adding to his tally in that sphere when landing a Newbury Grade 2 last December. First run over fences for almost 2 years when third in the 1965 Chase at Ascot (21f, good to soft) last month and he's a key player.
10. Torn And Frayed
J: Sam Twiston-DaviesT: Nigel Twiston-Davies
F: F65604-51
Price History:
8.00
Age:
10
Weight:
10-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
131
Days Since Last Run:
22
Verdict
Not always the most sure-footed and his round of jumping behind Copperhead at Aintree in October left an awful lot to be desired. However, it was an entirely different story next time at Warwick where he proved 8½ lengths too strong for Eldorado Allen, with the rest well beaten off. 6 lb rise fair.
2. Eldorado Allen
J: Brendan PowellT: Joe Tizzard
F: 54/345P0-2
Price History:
7.50
Age:
10
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
150
Days Since Last Run:
22
Verdict
Struggled in second half of last term but kick-started that campaign with a couple of very respectable efforts in major handicaps off higher marks than this. Positive start to this season following another wind op when chasing home Torn And Frayed at Warwick (3m, soft) and he's one to consider.
9. Copperhead
J: Freddie GingellT: Joe Tizzard
F: 3344-1112
Price History:
11.00
Age:
10
Weight:
10-9
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
131
Days Since Last Run:
33
Verdict
Snapped long losing run on final start of last term and has picked up where he left off by taking handicaps at Chepstow and Aintree in October. Clear of the rest when second in a 4-runner event at Sandown (24.2f, good) the following month but some of these could be better treated.
6. Raffle Ticket
J: Harry CobdenT: Mel Rowley
F: 1/1F621P-1
Price History:
15.00
Age:
10
Weight:
11-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
145
Days Since Last Run:
210
Verdict
Low mileage 10-y-o who has developed into a better chaser than hurdler. Looked better than ever when landing an 8-runner Aintree handicap (2½m, good to soft) on his latest appearance in May but has more on his plate up 8 lb in the stronger race.
8. Numitor
J: James BowenT: Heather Main
F: 32P/416-P1
Price History:
21.00
Age:
10
Weight:
10-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
135
Days Since Last Run:
47
Verdict
Enhanced healthy strike rate over fences with a tidy success on return at Wincanton (20.2f, good) and a 3 lb rise for that looks manageable. However, a clear career-best will be needed if he's to follow up in this tougher race.
11. Eden Du Houx
J: Jack TudorT: David Pipe
F: 881P2P/4-P
Price History:
-
Age:
10
Weight:
10-3
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
125
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Doubled his tally in this sphere at Ffos Las back in November 2022 but very lightly raced since and there were no positives to take from last month's reappearance spin at Haydock.
1. Paint The Dream
J: Sean BowenT: David Brace
F: 34133/
Price History:
26.00
Age:
10
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
150
Days Since Last Run:
650
Verdict
Three of his four wins over fences have been gained at Newbury, including a Grade 3 handicap back in March 2022. Wasn't disgraced when third in his bid to win that same race 12 months later but subsequent absence is naturally a concern ahead of this debut for new yard.
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Cheltenham

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