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14:40 Cheltenham
Tuesday 11 March 2025
All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20
Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 1f | Good to Soft | 24 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 6m 23.22s
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Selected odds by:
Low-mileage 9-y-o who was sent off favourite (off 8 lb lower) when let down by jumping in this race last year. Returned with success in class 2 at Haydock in November and backed that up with a couple of decent efforts in premier handicaps since. Others look better treated now, though.
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Successful over fences as a novice, including Grade 2 in early 2022. Hasn't convinced with his jumping in this sphere since, however, pulled up in Grand National when last seen in April (sold from Gordon Elliott £8,500 soon after). Headgear/tongue strap applied.
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Three wins in a productive novice chase campaign, including a valuable staying handicap here. Better for return when excellent second in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury but fluffed his lines back here on New Year's Day. Worth another chance.
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Smart hurdler and similar merit in chases. Decent fourth in the Golden Miller at this meeting last year and ran well on handicap bow when third in Galway Plate. However, has struggled with his jumping since so easy enough to over.
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Won Albert Bartlett in 2023. Better form over fences last term, winning twice, but pulled up last 3 starts, including back over hurdles (following a second breathing operation) on return over Christmas. Plenty to prove now.
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Progressive chaser who enhanced his excellent record around at Ascot when winning a couple of premier handicaps last 2 starts. However, Cheltenham hasn't quite looked his thing in 2 tries so far (pulled up in this last year).
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Made successful chase debut at Galway in October. Unlucky not to follow up in Grade 2 at Punchestown next time before good third in Grade 1 at Limerick. Proved a let-down switched to a handicap at Leopardstown since, his jumping put under pressure. Others more persuasive.
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Recorded a hat-trick in novice chases last season, including a Grade 2 at Ascot. Pulled up in National Hunt Chase at this meeting a year ago but looked better than ever when resuming winning ways at Newbury over Christmas. One to consider.
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Dual hurdles winner who came good over fences when making a winning handicap debut in this sphere at Leopardstown over Christmas. Improved further when runner-up in Grade 3 handicap there since, again travelling strongly, and must be respected.
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Dual winner at Haydock last term and jumping was sharpened up by the fitting of first-time headgear when resuming winning ways in Grand National Trial there last month. Respectable fourth in this last year so not taken lightly.
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Yet to score this term but deserves plenty of credit for his consistency this season, yet to finish out of the frame from this mark. Likely to find this too competitive, however.
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Useful chaser who struggled to recapture her best since falling here last winter. However, she took a big step back in the right direction when second of 5 in listed mares chase at Exeter last time so she's no forlorn hope.
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Runner-up in 3 premier handicaps this season before finally off the mark in this sphere in an uncompetitive 4-runner Grade 2 novice at Ascot last month. Should be in the mix once more.
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Took very well to fences in 2020/21, second in this (off 7 lb higher) prior to winning Grade 3 handicap at Aintree. Generally struggled in a handful of runs since, though at least showed something to work on returning from almost 2 years off when fifth on yard debut here in January.
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Has taken his form to a new level this season, winning first 3 starts of the campaign, including the Grand Sefton at Aintree and a valuable pot here (26f). Seemed to sulk when ridden with more restraint than usual upped in trip at Musselburgh 5 weeks ago so big field may not suit.
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Enhanced good record fresh when scoring at Chepstow on return. Better effort in premier handicaps here since when excellent close second last time, though winner did plenty wrong. Step up in trip could suit.
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Did well over fences last term, his highlight coming when a fine second in Plate Handicap off 2 lb higher at this meeting. Efforts this season suggest he's been building up to this so big run expected.
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Much improved sent chasing this season, winning 3 of his 4 starts, notably when most impressive in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton 17 days ago. Big hike in the weights is totally justified (12 lb higher) and big shout if this doesn't come too soon.
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Dual hurdles winner last season and this Irish point scorer is progressing very nicely over fences, supplementing his Kelso success in fine style at Ayr. Drop back in trip against him here since. This is a big test for a lightly-raced novice but his limit has probably not been reached yet.
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Took advantage of reduced mark in Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle (by 1¼ lengths from The Changing Man), jumping well over the longest trip he's faced. Beaten only by an unexposed one at Kempton next time but well held in Great Yorkshire at Doncaster since.
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Smart hurdler at his best and made a successful return/chase debut in novices' handicap at Warwick. Has remained in form without building on that success so needs 1st time tongue strap to bring about some improvement.
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Sent off second favourite for the Troytown at Navan (on the back of an excellent in C&D handicap) only to unseat rider at the 12th when yet to be asked for his effort. Kept fresh for this and no surprise to see him go well.
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Irish point winner. Winning hurdler but built for chasing and stepped up on chase bow/return when comfortable winner of 3-runner handicap at Wetherby. None the worse for Windsor fall when making all at Kelso latest. This is a big test for a lightly-raced novice but remains with potential.
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Smart form as a novice and standout effort of an otherwise low-key campaign last season was his fine third (off 6 lb higher) in the 20.6f Plate at this meeting. Has struggled in 4 subsequent starts, though.
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Forecasts
Myretown (13/2), The Changing Man (7/1), Katate Dori (7/1), The Short Go (11/1), Crebilly (11/1), Broadway Boy (11/1), Whistle Stop Tour (12/1), Malina Girl (14/1), Henry's Friend (14/1), Sequestered (16/1), Famous Bridge (18/1), Victtorino (22/1), King Turgeon (22/1), Stay Away Fay (25/1), Grandeur D'ame (25/1), Zanahiyr (25/1), Trelawne (25/1), Happygolucky (28/1), Search For Glory (33/1), Straw Fan Jack (33/1), Richmond Lake (40/1), Frero Banbou (50/1), Guard Your Dreams (50/1), Farouk D'Alene (125/1)
One of the few races Britain has dominated, and they appear to hold the upper hand once again with the thriving KATATE DORI leading the charge for the home team. He continued his remarkable progress when routing his rivals in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton and looks capable of defying a 12 lb rise if that big effort hasn't taken the edge off him. This has likely been the target for Crebilly after his fine second in the Plate last year, while Sequestered looks the pick of the Irish.
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Katate Dori7/1
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Crebilly11/1
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Sequestered16/1
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £84,405.002nd: £31,800.003rd: £15,915.004th: £7,950.005th: £3,990.006th: £1,995.007th: £990.008th: £510.00
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