Grade 3 Handicap Chase Guide

There are nine hopefuls for the Grade 3 Download The Betbright App Handicap Chase, headed by the Newbury winner Aso.

It would of been almost two years without a win if Venetia Williams' 9yo gelding failed to prevail on his reappearance, but he proved he goes well fresh when winning by a good distance. Aso - third in the Ryanair last year, will be ridden by Charlie Deutsch.

Acting Lass is in their pitching his claims after almost a year off the track. He was last seen down the field in the Betdaq Handicap Chase in February, having previously strung together a hat-trick of wins - completed at Ascot in January. He may require the run, along with Give Me A Copper - who has been off the track for Paul Nicholls for thirteen months.

He won a match-up at Kempton in November of 2017, and his length layoff is very much an unknown. This might be one worth watching instead of backing.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has two cards to play with Ballyhill and Foxtail Hill - both previous course and distance winners. Ballyhill won the Betway Handicap Chase at Aintree on Becher Chase day, staying on well after soaring over the last obstacle. Foxtail Hill on-the-other-hand was a gutsy seventh here in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup halfway through December.

Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson has Divine Spear looking to make his first appearance in ten months, whilst Kerry Lee has Happy Diva, who was last season on a racecourse being brought down here in the BetVictor Gold Cup back in November.

The Skelton's have Born Survivor, who is two from three this season, whilst Dr Richard Newland has Dustin Des Mottes, who was very supported at Ascot last time the weekend before Christmas, and completes the field.

All sixteen previous winners of this race had run over fences at Cheltenham before, with nine of those running at Prestbury Park last time out.

Fifteen of the last sixteen had run within the past two months. This year's renewal features several horses coming back from lengthy layoffs, who appear to be best watched.

Fourteen of the last sixteen winners had won at least twice over fences before, with one less winning over this distance. Ten of the last sixteen winners had won over fences at Cheltenham before, and are aware with the big hill at hand.

Twelve of the last sixteen were rated 138 or higher, with the best age appearing to be 8yo: with only five not being this age since 2003. 11 of the last 16 carried 11st or less, with the same number unplacing last time - indicating a drop in the weights before hand is vital.

Thirteen of the last sixteen winners were priced 9/1 or shorter in the betting, four of which won as favourites. Half of the last sixteen winners came from the top three in the betting.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has a great record in this race, winning it three times since 2003, and has two chances this time - including last year's winner Ballyhill, who is seeking to defend his crown from twelve months ago.

Ten of the last sixteen winners went onto run at that season’s Cheltenham Festival, with one winner at the Cheltenham Festival.