'We go there very hopeful' - key quotes and analysis for the amateur riders' handicap chase

Like many at the Showcase meeting, this race flits between two states. It can be an early pointer to progressive sorts in the division. At least as often, it is taken as a chance for genuine good-ground horses to win at Cheltenham.

Outright summer jumpers can win this race, as with Bermeo four years ago and Mole Court last year. The likes of Court Master and Anightinlambourn have also featured at the sharp end. That pool of horses is quite small, and of the 19 declared runners more than a quarter have run in this race previously.

Partly because summer chasing is not the career path of first resort, this race produces a lot of fairly old winners. The opportunity is there for upwardly mobile chasers, though. Last year there were three six-year-olds in the race. Two of them finished first and second.

The five- and six-year-olds this year command outsized interest. Jacks Parrot improved quickly in the spring on coming to Britain. He has little experience away from the mud, which is likely an issue of opportunity. His career has been split between France and one soggy British spring. He ran on good to soft once in France. He was carting into that race when brought down two out.

Atlanta Brave and Individualiste are just as interesting, albeit with some minor question marks. Those are obvious in Indivdualiste's case. He might be trained by Gavin Cromwell but this is his stable debut (he was disappointing with Paul Nicholls) as well as just his second chase.

Atlanta Brave started brightly over fences last season, finishing second in the Mandarin at Newbury to subsequent Scottish National second Surrey Quest. He missed three months after that and flopped on his only spring run. Picking up the thread from last season would give this good-ground point winner serious claims.
Analysis by Keith Melrose 

'It's a dream come true' – Ceanndana syndicate advance on Cheltenham

The Hows Your Father syndicate will be out in force at Cheltenham as their versatile performer Ceanndana is a leading contender in the 3m1f amateur jockeys' handicap chase.

Trained by Ross O'Sullivan, the seven-year-old's biggest supporter is George, son of syndicate member Declan Carroll, who has taken over the post-race media duties for his latest wins.

"There's 15 in the syndicate and nine members are heading over as well as some family," said Carroll. "It will be great fun and another day off school for the young fella; I just hope his teachers back the horse this time!

"He has taken us all over Ireland and now he's taking us to Cheltenham so it's a dream come true."

Lee Shanahan takes the mount on his first ride in Britain.

Carroll added: "I think he has a good chance and we have a very good jockey on board in Lee. He rides a lot of Ross's point-to-pointers and his 7lb claim will be dangerous."

What they say

Jonjo O’Neill, joint-trainer of Are U Wise To That
He goes well fresh and likes it around the track as he showed when winning there last year. We go there very hopeful.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Mole Court and Wick Green
Mole Court won the race last year since when he has become rather enthusiastic. We plan to drop him in this time, but he's in very good form with himself at home. Wick Green is well weighted on some of his form.

Ben Pauling: won this race last year with Mole Court

Kerry Lee, trainer of Atlanta Brave
He likes the trip and the track and some of his form from last year was more than respectable. He goes well fresh and hopefully he can be bang there.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of The Newest One
We’ve booked a very good amateur in Toby McCain-Mitchell and he’s back over fences which is a positive. It’s a competitive race.

Oliver Greenall, joint-trainer of Jacks Parrot
He got away with running on good ground at Perth on his final start of last season, but ideally he wants it proper soft. I’ll walk the track before racing and see if it’s soft enough for him to run.

Christian Williams, trainer of Strictlyadancer and Planned Paradise
This is a race we like to support as it gives the lesser horses a chance of winning around Cheltenham. Both are probably a pound too high in the handicap, but we are giving Strictlyadancer a good chance by claiming 7lb off him. Planned Paradise is a consistent type.

Henry Daly, trainer of Jimmy The Digger
It was all happening a bit quick for him around Warwick last time when I actually thought he ran alright. He likes Cheltenham and this will give our amateur Archie Jones some more experience.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read more Cheltenham previews:

1.50 Cheltenham: 'He's run some cracking races and has plenty of experience' - can Path D'Oroux finally open his account over fences?    

2.25 Cheltenham: 'She has a very bright future' - who rates his chances highly in the handicap chase?   

3.00 Cheltenham: Can Gale Mahler continue her remarkable run or will a short break have stalled her progress?   

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