17:20 Cheltenham

Tuesday 11 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 7m 54.62s

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Selected odds by:

Duffle Coat^p⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| C

50/1

Several solid efforts prior to opening chase account in a 3m listed handicap at Ballinrobe last May. Bettered that when a fine second in the Galway Plate. Off 4 months, went without usual cheekpieces (back now) when last of 4 over 20.5f at Ayr 49 days ago. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 1352P4

Resplendent Grey⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 142

10/1

Ended last season on the up over hurdles and perfect start to chase career when accounting for 5 rivals in a 2½m Uttoxeter handicap in October. Runner-up over 3m on next 2 starts and a drop back to 20.5f looked against him when fourth over 20.5f latest. This trip may suit him.

Form: 2-11224

Stuzzikini^b⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

33/1

Career best when winning the valuable Troytown at Navan (3m, good to soft) in November. Not in anything like the same form in the Thyestes at Gowran 2 months later but this longer distance should suit.

Form: 415310

Captain Cody⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

12/1

Useful hurdle winner who has matched that form over fences this season, improving again when third (Now Is The Hour fourth) in a warm Navan maiden chase (3m, soft) last month. This increased stamina test promises to suit. On the shortlist.

Form: 41-0443

Now Is The Hour⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: K M Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 139

6/1

Yet to win over fences but translated his useful hurdle ability to the larger obstacles when 4 lengths fourth (Captain Cody third) in a strong Navan maiden (3m, soft) in January. Very interesting handicap newcomer for an Irish stable with a good Cheltenham record.

Form: 112-654

Haiti Couleurs³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 135| C

7/2

Won 25f handicap chases at Aintree and here (reopposing Transmission second) towards the end of 2024. Creditable third of 12 in Newbury handicap hurdle last month and open to further progress back chasing. Gets the vote.

Form: 11-2113

In d'Or³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 134

40/1

French import who has improved for the switch to fences, scoring cosily in handicaps (around 3m) at Taunton and Ascot this winter. Improved again when 4 lengths third of 9 at Sandown (3m, heavy) last month but stamina isn't assured over this far.

Form: 12-0113

Hasthing²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| BF

16/1

Has taken very well to fences this winter, bagging a pair of handicaps at Windsor either side of Christmas. Proved himself at 3m when fourth in a valuable handicap at Ascot in February. Another 6f further to go now, though.

Form: 76-4114

Transmission^p⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 133| C

7/2

Has taken well to fences here this season, including a 25f handicap win in November. Bettered that form when second to Haiti Couleurs in a novice handicap the following month. Stiff task back hurdling in the Grade 2 Cleeve in January but much better can be expected back chasing. Player.

Form: 81-2126

No Time To Wait^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D J O'Keeffe| T: J C McConnell| OR: 133

33/1

Bumper/hurdles winner for Gordon Elliott. Improved effort over fences for new yard when length third in 3m Musselburgh handicap last month. First-time tongue tie worn on that occasion is retained. Up in trip.

Form: 314-P43

Will Do^b¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 132

12/1

Yet to win over fences but latest second of 17 in a strong Punchestown handicap (27f, soft) was a really good effort. The mount of Jack Kennedy from the yard's trio. Enters calculations.

Form: 332562

Rock My Way^b1,t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 132| BF| C

16/1

Useful chaser who won a 3m Doncaster novice handicap for Anthony Charlton in November. Ended his time with that stable with a below-form fourth at Newbury over Christmas but back on form for new yard when runner-up back at Doncaster (3m again) in January. First-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 32-3142

Gericault Roque^t⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 131

11/1

Second to Corach Rambler in Ultima at the 2022 Festival. Another good placed effort in a big handicap when third in Coral Cup at Newbury in November of that year. Not seen again until third of 6 at Windsor in January but it's an effort which suggests he retains most of his ability.

Form: 22253/3

Herakles Westwood³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: W Greatrex| OR: 129| BF

20/1

Has taken well to fences, winning 3m novice handicaps scoring at Newbury in December and Windsor in January. Only a respectable third of 6 back at Newbury last month and will need to resume his progression to get heavily involved.

Form: 42-2113

Klarc Kent^p1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: S F O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 127

66/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2022. Proved he stays well when good fourth in last year's Scottish Grand National at Ayr (4m) but he hasn't got near that level in 5 subsequent starts, the latest at Punchestown only 19 days ago. First-time cheekpieces need to make a big difference.

Form: 4-P0P90

Kyntara⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 125

16/1

Made up into a useful hurdler for this yard last term, winning twice and also second in Pertemps at this meeting. Better effort back over fences this time round when fourth of 6 in 3m Windsor handicap in January but has yet to really convince as a chaser.

Form: 222F-44

Caesar Rock^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: G Brouder⁽³⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 124

80/1

Boasts plenty of experience over fences but still a maiden and below form when a remote fourth in Thurles handicap when last seen in December. Others are more obvious.

Form: 4532F4

Jupiter Allen^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 124

25/1

Dual winner over hurdles and has also landed 2 chases wins this season, reacting well to cheekpieces (retained) when shading a close finish at Taunton (23f) last month. Up 4 lb in a significantly stronger race now.

Form: 5-514P1

Forecasts

Haiti Couleurs (7/2), Transmission (7/2), Now Is The Hour (6/1), Resplendent Grey (10/1), Gericault Roque (11/1), Will Do (12/1), Captain Cody (12/1), Rock My Way (16/1), Hasthing (16/1), Kyntara (16/1), Herakles Westwood (20/1), Jupiter Allen (25/1), No Time To Wait (33/1), Stuzzikini (33/1), In d'Or (40/1), Duffle Coat (50/1), Klarc Kent (66/1), Caesar Rock (80/1)

HAITI COULEURS created a good impression when proving too strong for Transmission (second choice) over 25f here in December. He warmed up for this with a good third over hurdles at Newbury and there should be more to come from him back over the larger obstacles. The shortlist is completed by Now Is The Hour and Captain Cody, who are closely matched on latest Navan maiden form and appeal as likely improvers now stepping up in trip for their handicap chase debuts.