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Grand Annual Challenge Cup Chase 2023 Racecard
TUESDAY
14
MARCH
SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE
ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
FESTIVAL HANDICAP CHASE
CHAMPION HURDLE
DAVID NICHOLSON MARES' HURDLE
FRED WINTER JUVENILE HURDLE
NATIONAL HUNT CHALLENGE CUP
WEDNESDAY
15
MARCH
BARING BINGHAM NOVICES' HURDLE
BROARDWAY NOVICES' CHASE
CORAL CUP HURDLE
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
CROSS COUNTRY CHASE
GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP CHASE
CHAMPION BUMPER
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4:50 Wed 15 Mar GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP CHASE Distance: 15f 199y Age: 5yo + Prize: £125,000 Going: Gd/Sft
Plenty of exposed sorts in this year's renewal so ANDY DUFRESNE, who was a strong favourite when runner-up off the same mark 12 months ago, is taken to defy top weight and go one place better having been laid out for this again. The Irish could well dominate, with Final Orders, Dinoblue and Coeur Sublime making up the shortlist. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS | |
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1 |
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1. ANDY DUFRESNE (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
9 12-0 |
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| Runner-up (3 lengths behind Global Citizen) off this mark when a strong favourite for this race 12 months ago. Not at that level this season, failing to build on a respectable return last 2 starts, but has presumably been laid out for this again. Tongue strap on first time. Big shout. | |||||
2 |
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2. COEUR SUBLIME (IRE) J: B. W. Harvey T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
8 11-12 |
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| Well held in the Arkle last season but has produced some very smart efforts in defeat since, notably when just denied in Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. Seemingly outbattled in Grade 3 at Naas 17 days ago but opening mark is an appealing one. | |||||
3 |
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3. FINAL ORDERS J: Keith Donoghue T: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland |
7 11-9 |
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| Has been nothing short of a revelation for these connections and completed a 5-timer over fences in comprehensive style having again jumped with aplomb and responding generously to pressure in valuable 2m handicap at Leopardstown last month. A must for the shortlist. | |||||
4 |
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4. THIRD TIME LUCKI (IRE) J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton |
8 11-8 |
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| Scored 3 times last season, including a Grade 2 novice over C&D, and bounced back to his best when resuming winning ways at Sandown last month. However, was suited by way the race developed so more needed up 6 lb in more competitive event. | |||||
5 |
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5. MALYSTIC J: Danny McMenamin T: Peter Niven |
9 11-8 |
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| At the very top of his game this winter, recording brace of handicap wins over 2m at Wetherby and Doncaster. However, unable to land a blow (over 4 lengths behind Elixir de Nutz off level weights) in Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury since and may find this a bit too competitive. | |||||
6 |
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6. A WAVE OF THE SEA (IRE) J: S. D. Torrens T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
7 11-7 |
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| More miss than hit around 3m this season but revived as he so often has at this time of year when 4½ lengths third of 12 to Final Orders at Leopardstown (17f, good to soft) 39 days ago. However, was well held in this last season off similar mark so probably best to look elsewhere. | |||||
7 |
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7. ELIXIR DE NUTZ (FR) J: Brendan Powell T: Joe Tizzard |
9 11-6 |
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| Found handicaps at Cheltenham (this race) and Aintree Festivals beyond him last spring but has come on again this term, responding well to headgear when easy winner from the front at Wincanton (20.2f). Good second of 4 in Game Spirit Chase at Newbury since and should be more competitive this time. | |||||
8 |
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8. THYME WHITE (FR) J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls |
7 11-6 |
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| Useful hurdler who has proved better over fences and had plenty in hand when scoring at Ascot in October on return. Only fifth off revised mark there following month but might have had a problem as he's been off the track since. | |||||
9 |
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9. EPSON DU HOUX (FR) J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
9 11-6 |
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| Lightly raced in recent seasons but made a respectable return after 13 months off when 15 lengths second of 4 to Energumene in Grade 2 at Cork. Similar form when third back in a handicap at Fairyhouse and capable of being competitive off current mark. | |||||
10 |
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10. MIDNIGHT RUN (IRE) J: M. J. M. O'Sullivan T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
9 11-5 |
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| Smart chaser who put his experience to good use when finally off the mark over fences in Grade 2 novice at Punchestown, albeit his task made considerably easier by the departure of main market rival. Struggled back in a Grade 1 next time but not taken lightly making handicap bow in this sphere. | |||||
11 |
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11. DADS LAD (IRE) J: B. Hayes T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
8 11-4 |
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| Has won his last 3 outings over fences, the latest success coming in a C&D handicap in October. Well held back over hurdles in Greatwood here following month and off since but expected to bounce back returned to this sphere. | |||||
12 |
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12. CALL ME LYREEN (IRE) J: Sam Ewing T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
7 11-4 |
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| Smart hurdler (Grade 2 winner) who made positive start over fences in the summer, winning maiden/novice before close second in Grade 3 at Galway. However, jumping has let him down (in this headgear) last 2 starts and has been off the track since October. | |||||
13 |
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13. DANCING ON MY OWN (IRE) J: J. J. Slevin T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
9 11-3 |
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| Good 2½ lengths second to The Last Day in Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree final start in 2021/22 but was well held in this race prior to that (let down by jumping) and little encouragement both starts this term. | |||||
14 |
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14. BATTLEOVERDOYEN (IRE) J: Jordan Colin Gainford T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
10 11-3 |
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| Grade 1 winner in his pomp but just useful nowadays. Losing run is mounting up and record in handicaps is 0-10. | |||||
15 |
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15. BEFORE MIDNIGHT J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Sam Thomas |
10 11-2 |
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| Won handicaps over C&D and at Ascot first 2 starts in 2021/22. Stepped up on return when third in corresponding race at Ascot, albeit finding little. Shaped as if still in good form back from a break at Doncaster and has now dipped below last winning mark. Tongue strap/headgear applied. | |||||
16 |
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16. MASKADA (FR) J: D. J. O'Keeffe T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
7 11-1 |
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| Better than ever this season and was set to go very close before falling 2 out at Fairyhouse. Made amends at Limerick (19.7f, heavy) just after Christmas though not in the same form at Leopardstown since, her jumping not really holding up to the sterner test. Back down in trip. | |||||
17 |
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17. SIZING POTTSIE (FR) J: Jack Tudor T: David Pipe |
9 10-13 |
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| Smart chaser for Jessica Harrington last season but long way below that level for this yard so big leap of faith required. Headgear applied. | |||||
18 |
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18. DINOBLUE (FR) J: L. P. Dempsey T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 10-13 |
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| Highly-regarded mare (failed to meet expectations on second career start in Dawn Run at this meeting 12 months ago) who comfortably landed the odds at Cork on chase bow/return. Better form when runner-up in Grade 2 at Cork and listed event at Naas since and remains with potential now handicapping. | |||||
19 |
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19. GLOBAL CITIZEN (IRE) J: Luca Morgan T: Ben Pauling |
11 10-12 |
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| Smart front-running hurdler/chaser, as shown when winning this race 12 months ago off 3 lb lower (beat Andy Dufresne by 3 lengths). Well held all 3 starts this season but those efforts are easy to forgive (Grade 2 hurdle events last 2 starts) so no surprise if he was back on song here. | |||||
20 |
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20. THE LAST DAY (IRE) J: Adam Wedge T: Evan Williams |
11 10-12 |
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| Sparingly campaigned for a horse of his age and proved that all of his ability remains intact when landing a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree's Grand National meeting last season. Shaped as if needing the run after 9 months off at Sandown sole start this term but this probably too demanding. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 6/1 6 DINOBLUE, 13/2 6.5 ANDY DUFRESNE, 7/1 7 FINAL ORDERS, 12/1 12 COEUR SUBLIME, 12/1 12 THIRD TIME LUCKI, 14/1 14 DADS LAD, 18/1 18 THYME WHITE, 20/1 20 ELIXIR DE NUTZ, 22/1 22 BEFORE MIDNIGHT, 22/1 22 EPSON DU HOUX, 25/1 25 GLOBAL CITIZEN, 28/1 28 CALL ME LYREEN, 33/1 33 MIDNIGHT RUN, 40/1 40 THE LAST DAY, 40/1 40 SIZING POTTSIE, 40/1 40 MALYSTIC, 40/1 40 MASKADA, 50/1 50 BATTLEOVERDOYEN, 50/1 50 A WAVE OF THE SEA, 80/1 80 DANCING ON MY OWN, 498/1 498 PRINCE ESCALUS, 499/1 499 RIDERS ONTHE STORM |
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