Through The Card: Cheltenham, Wednesday 17 April

Timeform
17 April 2019

There is jumps racing from Cheltenham on Wednesday

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Timeform take you through the card at Cheltenham on Wednesday...

"...she leaves the impression that she may have an even bigger effort in the locker when the situation demands it..."

Timeform on Copper Gone West

14:05 - DR SANDERSON (4) resumed his progress and wasn't hard pressed to make light of a double penalty at Ludlow last time, edging ahead three out and always doing enough to maintain his advantage thereafter. Admittedly, the bare form of that effort gives him 3 lb to find with the standard-setting Cotswold Way on weight-adjusted ratings here, but the 'p' attached to his ratings denotes that he is open to more improvement than that rival, and, in a race that has been won by the likes of Whisper and Might Bite in recent years, he appeals as the likeliest winner for the Paul Nicholls yard that continues in top form (eight winners from last 20 runners).

14:40 - Plenty of potential pace on here which could play into the hands of the highly-progressive KINGS MONARCH (9), who was most impressive when winning at Hereford last time and is fancied to defy what is effectively a 13 lb hike in the weights (2 lb out of the handicap here). Rene's Girl looked better than ever when runner-up at Doncaster and is an obvious threat, while Mister Whitaker looks on a handy mark if able to shrug off his disappointing run at the Festival here.

15:15 - BACK ON THE LASH (15) likely has more to offer after only four starts in this sphere and it could be worth chancing the bottom weight in this competitive handicap. Espoir de Teillee would be a big player if building on his fine reappearance at Exeter, while Gowiththeflow, who represents the Ben Pauling yard that has a £33.12 level stakes profit when sending just one runner to a meeting, and No Hassle Hoff are both fairly treated back over hurdles.

15:50 - This is wide open but LORD GETAWAY (11) is the one who makes most appeal given he shaped as if still comfortably ahead of his mark when runner-up at Market Rasen last time and should get the strong pace he needs to be seen to best effect. Tikk Tock Boom posted an improved effort last time and shouldn't be far away again, while the temperamental Bob Mahler is also respected having got back on track at Newbury last month.

16:25 - COPPER GONE WEST (13) didn't need to improve to get back to winning ways in novice company at Bangor last month, hitting the front before three out and always in control thereafter, despite a less than fluent jump at the last. Second on her handicap debut at Newbury the time before, Copper Gone West has an 8 lb higher mark to contend with here, but she leaves the impression that she may have an even bigger effort in the locker when the situation demands it, still relatively lightly raced after only five starts over hurdles, and this looks a good opportunity for her to record a third win of the season under Alan Johns.

17:00 - ALLELU ALLELUIA (4) ran well after four months off - during which time he'd had a breathing operation - to finish second at Ludlow last time, especially as he seemed to find it a barely adequate test of stamina for a long way. The way that he finished his race suggests that the return to further will certainly be in his favour here, and with the headgear he wore when winning at Worcester in October back on, Allelu Alleluia would appear to hold sound claims of bringing up the hat-trick in this race for the Jonjo O'Neill yard, with the trainer's son also claiming a valuable 3 lb.

17:30 - LAUGHING LUIS (10) looked much more straightforward than had previously been the case when scoring on handicap debut at Newbury last month, holding on gamely. That form has worked out well and he is fancied to defy a 5 lb higher mark partnered by talented Jonjo O'Neill Jr. Last year's winner Magic Dancer and Facile Fontwell scorer Le Ligerien head up the dangers.

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