Cheltenham Handicap Shortlists

[doctorwu]

NOT MANY LEFT - J.HARRINGTON

Runs in a Pertemps qualifier at Warwick on Saturday. This looks like a very interesting runner with some very good form in the book. Already high enough to get in so could see some shenanigans for a top 6.
Only 365 quoting @25s

[Outlaw]

Wonder Laish, post race comments after last win mentioned" I'd imagine we'll go for another good handicap with him" not got an entry in the betfair hurdle, could go lepo fez in the (Coral hurdle over 2m)but no doubt be some hcap blots in there and be tough off 140+
I'm hoping its the county hurdle with Davy on board after todays non entry.

[archie]

Not sure about the UK but I'd be a little surprised if any Irish horse mentioned on here before entries is really up for it.

[ComplyOrDie]

White Moon - Close Brothers Handicap

A small NRNB cut today by SkyBet and looking at his profile you wouldn't be put off.

Currently rated 143, entered in the Listed Chase @ Warwick on Saturday over a purposeful 3m, he won't win IF he runs (currently jocked up, so no reason to think otherwise), and he won't be dropped more than 5lb by the handicapper, so likelihood is he'll remain firmly within the rating bracket to have a crack at this, Mister Whitaker won last season off 137.

Despite not winning on chase debut he was looking like running a nice race until coming down, I think many on here commented as him being one to take out of the race at the time, but he probably lacks the class to contest the main novice chases, but the handicap route could ensure he at least is competitive at the festival. The fact his debut was at the course is another positive, despite the fall, as he seemed to show a liking, nearing the end of the race, for the uphill finish.

Apologies in advance if someone had already mentioned him for this.

[Outlaw]

Not sure about the UK but I'd be a little surprised if any Irish horse mentioned on here before entries is really up for it.

What do you mean Archie?

[Quevega]

White Moon - Close Brothers Handicap

A small NRNB cut today by SkyBet and looking at his profile you wouldn't be put off.

Currently rated 143, entered in the Listed Chase @ Warwick on Saturday over a purposeful 3m, he won't win IF he runs (currently jocked up, so no reason to think otherwise), and he won't be dropped more than 5lb by the handicapper, so likelihood is he'll remain firmly within the rating bracket to have a crack at this, Mister Whitaker won last season off 137.

Despite not winning on chase debut he was looking like running a nice race until coming down, I think many on here commented as him being one to take out of the race at the time, but he probably lacks the class to contest the main novice chases, but the handicap route could ensure he at least is competitive at the festival. The fact his debut was at the course is another positive, despite the fall, as he seemed to show a liking, nearing the end of the race, for the uphill finish.

Apologies in advance if someone had already mentioned him for this.

DEfinitely in rating bracket assuming he stays 143 or thereabouts. and 2m 4f in a big field mad gallop may suit this horse as I think he stays well enough.
Mister Whitaker was lucky to get in last year due to all the non declared cos of the ground, reckon you'll need to be 140 - 145 to be sure

[Quevega]

FLAWLESS ESCAPE
obvious pick for me, went off favourite for Martin Pipe at last years festival and made two bad errors and was unplaced.
Finished rated 137 over hurdles, starts off in beginners chase tomorrow @ fairyhouse ridden by Russell, same race that the storyteller won last year. Will surely be aimed at one of the Handicaps at cheltenham, hurdles or fences to be fair, unless he improves dramatically over fences to be grade one class.
Can pretty much repeat a lot of that for DUCA DE THAIX - also running in handicap tomorrow at fairyhouse, rated just 133 over fences but well backed for county last year and looks like he's gaining plenty of experience chasing for one of the handicaps at the festival, will need to bump up rating a bit so might be worth backing tomorrow.

Update -
FE = now going over hurdles as it looks like after one aborted attempt chasing they've gone back over timber, but potentially still looks well handicapped for a race like the MP (someone mentioned as much on here recently).
DTT = now rated 144, which is perfectly balanced and looks competitive to me on that mark on all form over fences. Entered up at weekend also and be interesting to see how he's handled. Topped up again in any race market for him with WH 27-1.
If he keeps same sort of mark after running at the weekend I'd favour the close brothers and rate him a potential favourite.

[Viking Flagship]

White Moon - Close Brothers Handicap

A small NRNB cut today by SkyBet and looking at his profile you wouldn't be put off.

Currently rated 143, entered in the Listed Chase @ Warwick on Saturday over a purposeful 3m, he won't win IF he runs (currently jocked up, so no reason to think otherwise), and he won't be dropped more than 5lb by the handicapper, so likelihood is he'll remain firmly within the rating bracket to have a crack at this, Mister Whitaker won last season off 137.

Despite not winning on chase debut he was looking like running a nice race until coming down, I think many on here commented as him being one to take out of the race at the time, but he probably lacks the class to contest the main novice chases, but the handicap route could ensure he at least is competitive at the festival. The fact his debut was at the course is another positive, despite the fall, as he seemed to show a liking, nearing the end of the race, for the uphill finish.

Apologies in advance if someone had already mentioned him for this.

Hey COD, being fairly content with some of the positions I’m in with the graded races I’ve been spending a lot more time looking at the handicaps in the past few days and I came very close to taking the 16/1 with 365 on him in this race. 20/1 and I’d have probably taken the plunge. Just this nagging doubt about Colin and his targets... I can see them putting him in the RSA but to me he should absolutely be going for Close Bros or Ultima from his current mark. Very nice horse with lots more to offer.

[ComplyOrDie]

Hey COD, being fairly content with some of the positions I’m in with the graded races I’ve been spending a lot more time looking at the handicaps in the past few days and I came very close to taking the 16/1 with 365 on him in this race. 20/1 and I’d have probably taken the plunge. Just this nagging doubt about Colin and his targets... I can see them putting him in the RSA but to me he should absolutely be going for Close Bros or Ultima from his current mark. Very nice horse with lots more to offer.

Hopefully he is beat @ Warwick VF, as I can't see him posing a threat in the RSA myself either, and that defeat may result in CT having a re-think about where to send him. I will hold off on taking the plunge for the Close Bros. race until after the Warwick run.

[Scooby91]

White Moon - Close Brothers Handicap

A small NRNB cut today by SkyBet and looking at his profile you wouldn't be put off.

Currently rated 143, entered in the Listed Chase @ Warwick on Saturday over a purposeful 3m, he won't win IF he runs (currently jocked up, so no reason to think otherwise), and he won't be dropped more than 5lb by the handicapper, so likelihood is he'll remain firmly within the rating bracket to have a crack at this, Mister Whitaker won last season off 137.

Despite not winning on chase debut he was looking like running a nice race until coming down, I think many on here commented as him being one to take out of the race at the time, but he probably lacks the class to contest the main novice chases, but the handicap route could ensure he at least is competitive at the festival. The fact his debut was at the course is another positive, despite the fall, as he seemed to show a liking, nearing the end of the race, for the uphill finish.

Apologies in advance if someone had already mentioned him for this.

Tizzard dosent know this race exists. He'll be running round the back of the rsa at 50/1. If i know tizzard.

[Arkle]

[ComplyOrDie]

Tizzard dosent know this race exists. He'll be running round the back of the rsa at 50/1. If i know tizzard.

I'm hoping his poor past couple of years, Native River / KS aside might lead him spread out into the handicaps this time around, maybe a bit of wishful thinking, and I won't be going mad (stakes wise), but I will be giving him the benefit of doubt and hoping this leopard changes his spots!

Vision Des Flos would ordinarily look like a handicap plot too.....but as you have said previously, this is CT we are talking about.

[boopa]

Tizzard has had runners in it most of them pulled up though.

[Viking Flagship]

I’m thinking it might be time to start threads for the handicaps individually to prevent some of these suggestions getting lost amongst each other. I might do a short write up on a couple of them in the next day or 2 to get the ball rolling.

[Kevloaf]

Vision Des Flos would ordinarily look like a handicap plot too.....but as you have said previously, this is CT we are talking about.

Ha, that's spot on.

Another trainer and I'd be smirking with my 22s any race.

I expect him to go off bigger in a race he can't win.