*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Nuts Well
Trainer: Ann Hamilton Jockey: Danny McMenamin Age: 11 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Likeable type who scored at Kelso on return and wasn’t disgraced at Aintree and Wetherby since. Stamina to prove, however.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!
Midnight Shadow
Trainer: Sue Smith Jockey: Ryan Mania Age: 9 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Enhanced good record at Cheltenham when putting up a career best win in Paddy Power Gold Cup in November. Good third in Racing Post Gold Cup there following month and this tough sort is a player.
Fusil Raffles
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen Age: 7 Weight: 11st 8lbs
Very smart chaser who won Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (24.2f) before good fourth off 152 on handicap debut in Grade 3 event at Cheltenham last month despite a bad blunder. Needs considering.
Cloudy Glen
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 9 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Proved a revelation on the back of a breathing operation when landing the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (26f) on return. Stopped quickly next time but has never been the most consistent.
Janika
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Mr Ben Bromley Age: 9 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Grade 2 winner over fences during 2019/20. All the better for return when seventh of 16 in Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day but didn’t shape well enough to make him of interest here.
Windsor Avenue
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Sean Quinlan Age: 10 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Enhanced a fine record fresh when second to Snow Leopardess at Bangor on return but struggled in Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day and blinkers now applied.
Some Chaos
Trainer: Michael Scudamore Jockey: Ben Poste Age: 11 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Back to his best after a wind op when landing veterans’ handicap chase at Chepstow on return but pulled up at Wincanton/Newcastle since. Others are more persuasive.
Demachine
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: K. Brogan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Smart novice chaser last season. Shaped better than result when well-held fifth of 21 in Ladbrokes Trophy on Newbury return but got no further than the first at Ludlow since. Worth another chance.
Hill Sixteen
Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Craig Nichol Age: 9 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Useful chaser who was back to form with a bang on just second outing for this yard when going close in Becher at Aintree. Never competitive in Welsh National since but could bounce back.
STUDY THE FORM IN STYLE
- CHECK OUT OUR SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY RACE, EVERY DAY
Kapcorse
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Lorcan Williams Age: 9 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Clearly fragile but made the most of some generosity by the handicapper to land Newbury race for the second time 2 months ago. Had a bit in hand that day so not taken lightly up 8 lb in better race.
Canelo
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Rowland Meyrick winner at Wetherby last season but fell at The Chair in Grand National on final start and below par all 3 starts this term.
Rocco
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Jordan Nailor Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Ended losing run when game winner of the Badger Beer at Wincanton but in nothing like the same form at Cheltenham since and others are on more tempting marks.
Storm Control
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Daire McConville Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Bold-jumping front-runner who scored twice at Cheltenham last season and bounced back to form when winning at Newbury under this rider 10 days ago in typical style. This tougher under a penalty.
Grand Sancy
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Bryony Frost Age: 8 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Smart hurdler who has proved useful over fences and looked right back on his game when fourth in a Newbury handicap. Unsuited by going right-handed at Ascot since but should do better around here.
Debece
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 11 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Pulled up first 2 starts last season after returning from a lengthy absence but shaped very well starting out for this yard when runner-up at Sandown in March. Interesting contender on return.
Hurricane Harvey
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Connor Brace Age: 8 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Improved sent chasing last season, winning twice, notably Grade 2 over C&D. Stepped up on return when third in Badger Beer at Wincanton. Stamina tested next time but this more suitable. Respected.
Cap Du Nord
Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 9 Weight: 10st 0lbs
Form hit new heights last season, successful at Newbury and third in this off 10 lb higher. Yet to get going this term, running poorly when gambled on at Kempton. Becoming well handicapped.
WANT FAST RESULTS? NO PROBLEM!
- WE HAVE ALL THE HORSE RACING FAST RESULTS YOU’LL EVER WANT
Timeform Verdict: DEBECE shaped like a well-handicapped horse on his first start for Dan Skelton when second at Sandown in March so could be up to defying a 10-month absence. Fusil Raffles was very competitive on his handicap bow at Cheltenham despite making a bad mistake so must be considered off 1 lb lower, while Cap du Nord is potentially well treated having finished third in this off 10 lb higher 12 months ago.
- Like Paddy Power News? Or maybe you just like to whinge? Tell us what you think in our reader survey
READ MORE
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest racing tips
- Paddy Power Cotswold Chase runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s big race at Cheltenham
- Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase tips & runner-by-runner guide
- Cheltenham Festival 2022 day-by-day schedule and guide to the big races
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
