Betfair Tingle Creek: Katie Midwinter's runner-by-runner guide and 1-2-3 prediction

• Katie Midwinter provides a runner-by-runner guide to Saturday's feature race

• Five declared for the Grade 1 contest

• Il Etait Temps heads the market for Willie Mullins

• Defending champion Jonbon bids for a record-equalling third win

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Il Etait Temps

10/111.91 favourite to win the Betfair Tingle Creek

A deserving favourite on recent form, Il Etait Temps has shown masses of improvement in recent seasons which has seen him achieve a rating of 169 following multiple Grade One successes, including over Jonbon in the Celebration Chase here last term. 

Absent for 359 days following a win over Gaelic Warrior at Punchestown last year, the Willie Mullins-trained grey returned in great fashion to inflict a five-and-a-half-length defeat upon Jonbon, who was previously unbeaten at this track. 

That course-and-distance victory further enhanced Il Etait Temps' reputation, and he proved his capabilities in open company that day. He has the benefit of race fitness coming into this clash having recorded an 18-length success over Senecia in a Clonmel Grade Two last month, a run from which he could take another step forward. 

The seven-year-old remains open to further improvement, yet to be fully exposed with the ceiling of his ability unknown. He has shown a gutsy attitude throughout his career and has proven on numerous occasions that he also has plenty of class. 

Il Etait Temps is the one to beat on current form and could be hard to outclass should he show even further progression under Paul Townend.

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L'Eau du Sud

5/23.50 to win the Betfair Tingle Creek

Seven-year-old gelding L'Eau du Sud was a tremendous winner of a Grade Two at Cheltenham's November Meeting, winning comfortably by 15-lengths over runner-up Jonbon, the defending champion. It was a seriously impressive performance by the improving chaser and he warrants plenty of respect as he seeks another Grade One prize at this track. 

Twelve months ago, the grey won the Henry VIII Novices' Chase by three-and-three-quarter-lengths over this course-and-distance before going on to perform with credit at the Cheltenham Festival. He was beaten only a length-and-a-quarter by Jango Baie in the Arkle, with Only By Night in second and Majborough in third.

The winner has since landed Grade Two honours and is one of the favourites for the King George VI Chase later this month, whilst the runner-up has claimed a Grade Three and the third subsequently achieved Grade One success at the Punchestown Festival.

There's substance to his form and plenty to like about the chances of L'Eau du Sud coming into this race. Any rainfall should be in his favour and he is in great form having beaten Jonbon.

A horse on an upward trajectory who is now on his highest career rating of 163, L'Eau du Sud has the scope for even further progression and holds solid claims.

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Jonbon

16/54.20 to win the Betfair Tingle Creek

Dual winner of the race Jonbon is currently third favourite as he bids to match Flagship Uberalles' record three successes in the Grade One contest. 

A ten-time winner at the highest level, Jonbon has been sent off at odds-against in only three of his 18 starts as a chaser, and has only failed to be favourite for a chase contest when twice facing El Fabiolo in the Arkle and Celebration Chase respectively.

Despite winning the past two renewals, the Nicky Henderson-trained runner must bounce back to form and prove himself again having suffered two successive defeats for the first time in his career to the two rivals ahead of him in the market.

The nine-year-old has a great amount of class and was unbeaten at Sandown prior to his defeat in the Celebration Chase to Il Etait Temps last spring. He wasn't seen to best effect that day after a busy campaign with the eventual winner coming into the race fresh following an absence, putting in an exceptional performance to prevail.

Jonbon attempted to make all but wasn't as efficient as he can be at all of his fences. He had previously made a shuddering error in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, too, which scuppered his chances, and the first-time cheekpieces applied could sharpen him up. 

The likeable performer has plenty to do to reverse form with both of his younger rivals, but has the proven form in this race and excuses can be made for his latest defeats. The ground became softer by the minute in torrential rain at Cheltenham last month, when a distant second to L'Eau du Sud, but there will be no hiding place at his beloved Sandown Park, and he has been dropped 4lb from his career-high mark of 171, giving him 2lb to find with progressive seven-year-old Il Etait Temps on 169.

The defending champion remains the one to beat in this particular contest, but faces a pair of formidable rivals who have already inflicted defeat upon him. If he is to land a third renewal of this race, Jonbon will have to be at his best.

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Libberty Hunter

25/126.00 to win the Betfair Tingle Creek

Evan Williams-trained Libberty Hunter has failed to complete in both of his latest two runs, falling during the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before unseating returning rider Harry Cobden in the Grade Two won by L'Eau du Sud at Prestbury Park last month.

Whilst the nine-year-old will need to show significant improvement to match the level shown by some of his rivals, he remains unexposed and has previously placed at Grade One level when third as a novice to Found A Fifty. He's a three-time winner over fences and went close when second to Master Chewy in a Newbury Grade Two last term, following an impressive handicap win at Cheltenham.  

A progressive type now rated 151, Libberty Hunter has plenty to find on ratings with the leading trio in this contest but may be able to take advantage should others disappoint. He's difficult to completely rule out given he is lightly raced and is yet to be fully exposed, with the yard also in good form recently, however, he'll need to take a step forward on his previous form if he is to play a part.

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Boothill

33/134.00 to win the Betfair Tingle Creek

The outsider of the field Boothill has featured in a number of races won by Jonbon but is yet to line up in a Tingle Creek having been withdrawn in both of the past two renewals.

The ten-year-old is set to finally compete in the race and was able to finish within a length-and-a-half of Jonbon at Cheltenham last term, but does face a stiff task to reverse form with plenty to find on ratings with the trio at the head of the market.

The Harry Fry-trained contender is rated 2lb higher than Libberty Hunter currently, however, and he did finish second as a novice here at Grade One level. He has previous course form and valuable experience which should hold him in good stead.

On the back of a pulled up effort and disappointing run at Ascot, it's difficult to envisage the son of Presenting finding the required improvement to beat the rest of the field, but he can't be completely ruled out having shown snippets of good form during his career to date and is another who could pick up the pieces should others falter.

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Katie Midwinter's Betfair Tingle Creek Prediction

1. Jonbon

2. Il Etait Temps

3. L'Eau du Sud

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Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

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