Racing Blogger, 'Christmas Cup' Handicap Chase (GBB Race).
Exeter · Thursday, 18 Dec · 18:00
· 3m 54y
· Class 3
· TURF
WEIGHEDIN
Status
14:00
Off time
6
Runners
Heavy
Going
🎯 Tipster's 1·2·3
Sporting Life pick
Betting forecast
Market prediction · 7 runners · sorted by price
01 · 🏆 FAV
3.25
9/4
02 · 🥈 2nd
3.50
5/2
03 · 🥉 3rd
3.75
11/4
04 · —
5
4/1
05 · —
8
7/1
06 · —
12
11/1
07 · —
13
12/1
Sporting Life forecast prices — published the night before the race. Top 3 highlighted as market favourites.
Runners
| Pos | No. | Dr | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Wgt | Best decimal odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | — |
Isaac Des Obeaux (G)
[P]
Got back on track after a wind op when third of 5 in listed chase at Cheltenham (25f, heavy, 16/1) 34 days ago. Ought to be thereabouts back in handicap company in his bid for a maiden chasing victory.
|
H Cobden | P F Nicholls | 7 | 76.2 kg |
3.75
11/4
|
| — | 2 | — |
Coolvalla (G)
[P]
Course winner who scored a remarkable five times in 2022/23. Off over 2 years since posting a solid fifth of 16 in bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown but still can't be ruled out with his yard going well.
|
Freddie Gordon | C Gordon | 9 | 76.2 kg |
12
11/1
|
| 2nd | 3 | — |
Operation Manna (G)
A three-time hurdles winner in 2023 but pulled up in handicap hurdle at Sandown (23.4f) on his sole run last term 12 months ago. Goes chasing now with his fitness to prove.
|
Stan Sheppard | T Lacey | 9 | 75.3 kg |
8
7/1
|
| — | 4 | — |
Rosscahill (G)
Created a good impression when winning a maiden and novice hurdle at Ffos Las last season. Off 10 months before pulled up on his chasing bow there (25f) in October and needs a major step forward here.
|
Sam Twiston-Davies | N & W Twiston-Davies | 6 | 72.6 kg |
5
4/1
|
| 4th | 5 | — |
Gyenyame (G)
FAV
[B]
Course winner who is knocking on the door, a rallying second of 8 in handicap chase over C&D (soft) 41 days ago. Not taken lightly despite a 2 lb rise.
|
Brendan Powell | J Tizzard | 7 | 71.7 kg |
3.25
9/4
|
| 3rd | 6 | — |
Sheldon (G)
A dual Wincanton chase winner in 2023/24 but winless last term and he again made mistakes when a well-held fourth of 9 in 19f Chepstow handicap 27 days ago. Others make more appeal.
|
Sean Houlihan | J W Mullins | 9 | 71.7 kg |
13
12/1
|
| — | 7 | — |
Vision De Maine (G)
Irish point winner who also landed his first 2 chases last season at around 3m. Resumed from 9 months off with an encouraging third of 9 in handicap at Ascot (23.8f, good) 27 days ago. Merits serious consideration eased 1 lb.
|
Jack Tudor | D Pipe | 6 | 67.6 kg |
3.50
5/2
|
Betting forecast: Gyenyame (9/4), Vision De Maine (5/2), Isaac Des Obeaux (11/4), Rosscahill (4/1), Operation Manna (7/1), Coolvalla (11/1), Sheldon (12/1)
Prize money
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| P1 | 8978.0 GBP |
| P2 | 4131.0 GBP |
| P3 | 2066.0 GBP |
| P4 | 1034.0 GBP |
| P5 | 515.0 GBP |