Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices' Chase

2.00 Cheltenham
Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £14,252

Pick: Reve De Sivola (each/way)

Billie Magern: Made hay in the summer jumping circuit over fences, winning 4 times on the bounce; Has since struggled to really hold his own in some good races, having been well beaten behind Chicago Grey and then coming fifth at the Open meeting; Hard to fancy.

Cois Farraig: Performed with credit when second to high class Nicky Henderson pair Lush Life and Oscar Whisky, and jumped well and shaped as if he’d be better for the race when third on chase debut at Ascot; Took Grade 2 Chase at Newbury on his last start but was fortunate that Sprit River fell and Celestial Halo didn’t fancy it; Can’t be ruled out totally but this again will be harder.

Reve De Sivola: Made hay over the last 2 seasons as a Novice Hurdler, coming sixth in the Triumph and second in the Neptune Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival; Wasn’t given a hard time after belting the first on his chasing debut but improved on that when getting better of useful novices Rebel Du Maquis and Whishfull Thinking last time and has as much potential as anything in the field.

Hell’s Bay: Ran with credit when giving class hurdler Time For Rupert 5lbs when second in very good novice chase at here at the Open Meeting; Appeared to excel himself that day and showed effects of that draining run when well beaten third at Newbury.

Master Of The Hall: 3 from 5 since appearing in Britain, and looked promising when winning at Sandown and Newbury on his first two starts over hurdles; Wasn't himself when last seen over hurdles in February but made a good chasing debut (last fence error apart) at Ascot; Has scope to go far chasing.

Merdermit: Best of these over hurdles, coming a close second in the Supreme Novice to add to two other Grade 2 wins and had made rather poor start to chasing before winning a good event in style at Plumpton last time; Has serious claims, especially if improving, but this by far his toughest test and trip may not be helpful.

Have You Seen Me: Didn’t do all that much over hurdles in the context of this field, but nearly beat a Grade 2 winner (Bouggler) giving him 3lbs last time and not discounted if building on that.

Mr Thriller: Touted as serious prospect for Graded hurdles after running out a 15-length winner of the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle and then beating Champion Hurdle fifth at Haydock before ground and a mark of 160 stopped those ambitions; Was going to lay down a good challenge to Time For Rupert when falling 2 out on his chasing/seasonal debut. a good effort considering that this isn’t his favoured course; This a tougher test again but yard in form and has every chance.


Othermix: Never really achieved much over fences last year, his best effort being a second in the Jewson during a campaign blotched by jumping errors; Much the same story this season (albeit in decent races) and has it to do here.

Ranjobaje: Ran to a useful level over hurdles last season, coming into a well handicapped horse in Notus De La Tour and suffering a rough passage when third in a very competitive handicap hurdle; Has a lot to do on tough debut, and needs to improve for new yard.

Simarian: Has returned over fences in pleasing style considering that he lost his way badly over hurdles, coming second to a far better rival in Cockney Trucker on his first start and then winning in workmanlike style last time; Has it to do.

Sang Bleu: Won on the Flat at Chateaubriant in September and within a month made a successful start to his hurdling career at Auteuil; Only ran twice over hurdles but no shame in being passed aside by Me Voici on debut (Finale Hurdle) and good effort considering he hit 1st and 4th to give 8lbs and a beating to Starts Du Granite on his last run; Should improve massively for first chase start and needs considering.

Sway: Prolific and classy sort over hurdles in France, winning three listed events before coming down when cantering in a Grade 2; Only just realising that potential In Britain, having won her last start with consummate ease; Has a fantastic racing weight but this far harder than anything she’s tried before.

VERDICT: A real quality race. Merdermit put up his best chasing performance last time out, but this is a much stiffer test and this trip may cause him real problems. REVE DE SIVOLA beat 2 really useful rivals here last time and may well improve again for that. Master Of The Hall is a top notch prospect, while Mr Thriller was going sweetly until falling last time out. Sway is interesting off a featherweight but Sang Bleu holds more appeal.