Cheltenham Trials Day - Novice Handicap Chass

1.30 Cheltenham

Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 2)  (5YO plus) 
Winner £12,524 - 9 run - Draw Advantage: None

Pick: The Giant Bolster (each/way)


The Giant Bolster: Proved an absolute revelation when sixth in the Neptune and was crying out for the longer trip on that evidence; Made excellent start to fencing when winning by 11 lengths and was still well there when falling in good race Cheltenham last time; Overpriced. 

Pearlysteps: Already doing well over fences, having bumped into two very classy prospects on his three starts (won other); May be weighted to best but respected.

Ikorodu Road: Made up into a useful chaser for new yard and was reportedly leading by 2 lengths when falling at Newbury last time (Mist made race unviewable); Should go close to winning if able to literally repeat that form. 

Shakalakaboomboom: Already improved massively for handicaps, winning decent events at Newbury and Taunton in good style; Rise in weights fair and can go close for in form yard. 

Vino Greigo: Very useful hurdler who wasn't too far short of best over hurdles but hasn't really taken to chasing; Ran well when third at Newbury but has more on his plate here and own ideas about the game puts doubt over wether he can run that well again. 

Cootehill: Was a very useful hurdler (won listed hurdle at Kempton and big handicap at Market; Made good start over fences when winning twice but 2 poor efforts temper enthusiasm.


Ravethebrave: Progressive over fences, winning on debut before showing better form in defeat behind Fine Parchment and Mistree Dancer; Up for that but should take a hand here for in-form yard.

Mistree Dancer: Was the main beneficiary of the fall of Ikoroudu Road when holding off Ravethebrave to win at Newbury last time out; Closely matched with Ravethebrave and Ikorodu from last time but likely to prove prominent anyway. 

Diamond Brook: Fortuitous to be at 2-2 over fences despite a mire assured round of jumping at Exeter last time; Could well improve again but has a lot more on his plate here. 

VERDICT: Ravethebrave is taken to come on top out of the three Newbury rivals, while Shakalakaboomboom has won both his handicap chases in great style, but THE GIANT BOLSTER is overpriced based on what he's shown so far and wasn't beaten when falling at the Open meeting last time out and had been given plenty of time since to get over that.