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Kim Muir Handicap Chase
17:30 Cheltenham Festival
2023-03-16
Winner: £36,667.5
Runners: 23
Going: Soft
No. of hurdles: 22
Distance: 3m2f0y
The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup is a long-distance handicap chase that is run as the final race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. It is restricted to amateur jockeys. Check the Kim Muir runners and riders ahead of the race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
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25(0)
02/505
Coo Star Sivola
-
J: Miss M O'Sullivan
T: Venetia Williams
11
10-2
118
149
Two-time course winner who is very well handicapped on his form for Nick Williams up to spring 2021; however, following a long absence, he's struggled to get competitive on his three runs for this yard.
26(0)
-3U355
Didero Vallis
-
J: Miss Lucy Turner
T: Venetia Williams
10
10-2
118
156
Third in this last year and 8lb lower today; has posted two fair runs this season but well beaten the last twice and has to raise his game in a big way.
NR(0)
11-PU4
Chambard
-
T: Venetia Williams
11
11-6
137
144
Won this last year off 3lb lower; plenty to prove this time having failed to shine this season, particularly in the jumping department; today's cheekpieces didn't have a positive impact on their sole previous use (over hurdles in 2021) but it's possible they'll help his jumping and he's not written off.
9(0)
6280P3
Defi Bleu
-
J: Mr B Lawless
T: Gordon Elliott
10
11-8
139
150
10yo who has a patchy profile this season but was a good second of 17 in the Cork National (3m4f, soft to heavy) in November and a fair third at Punchestown (3m4f, yielding) last time; each-way contender if he's on song.
17(0)
12-571
Musical Slave
-
J: Mr Derek O'Connor
T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
10
11-4
135
150
Back to form to win a six-runner handicap at Exeter last month (3m, good; has also won on soft); this 10yo looked as good as ever last time and Derek O'Connor is a good booking today, but this 10yo has never won off a mark this high and there's a suspicion he'll be vulnerable in this hot race.
NR(0)
11-342
Captain Cattistock
-
T: Fergal O'Brien
10
11-1
132
153
Course win number two when scoring over C&D (good) last April and he was back to that level when second at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft) last month; it's possible this tougher company will find him out but he's not ruled out each-way; effective on soft ground earlier in career.
5(0)
0-9315
Rapper
-
J: Miss Alice Stevens
T: Henry Daly
9
11-11
142
156
Impressive in first-time cheekpieces over C&D (soft) in January; not at the same level when fifth at Sandown (3m, good to soft) last month but it was still a fair run and he stayed on well; the extra emphasis on stamina here is in his favour and the first-time visor could be another plus; interesting.
NR(0)
-P952P
One More Fleurie
-
T: Ian Williams
9
10-3
120
152
Won four times in the first part of 2021 and has dropped down the weights, but on this season's evidence he's hard to fancy in a race this competitive; wears first-time cheekpieces.
18(0)
471121
Anightinlambourn
-
J: Mr Jack Andrews
T: Ben Pauling
9
11-4
135
147
Progressive form here in the autumn, finishing second of 20 (3m1f, good) before going one better in November (3m1f, good) when last seen; suited by this track and could have more to offer, but needs to be better than ever after four months off and all her chase wins have come on good ground.
12(0)
-22U10
Punitive
-
J: Mr J C Barry
T: Gordon Elliott
9
11-6
137
146
Better could have been expected in the Thyestes in January last time out but he was progressive previously, finishing second here (3m1f, good) in November and winning at Fairyhouse (3m5f, soft) in December; not ruled out.
4(0)
5P-150
Farinet
-
J: Mr James King
T: Venetia Williams
8
11-11
142
148
Won at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last January and comfortably made all at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) in December; of interest judged on that latest win but two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.
19(0)
231-P3
Emir Sacree
-
J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien
T: Nicky Henderson
9
11-3
134
151
His jumping can lack fluency but he returned to form with an encouraging third when upped in trip at Sandown last month (3m, good to soft; has won on soft); jumped left on occasions last time and could benefit from this return to a left-handed track; could go well.
14(0)
12-207
Dr Kananga
-
J: Mr Darren Andrews
T: Ben Clarke
9
11-4
135
142
Not at his best on his three runs this term; however, two of them were over hurdles and in between he may not have been suited by the big National fences and/or the good to soft ground at Aintree; a case can be made on his progressive front-running form in soft/heavy-ground chases early last year.
10(0)
0/1B/1
Royal Thief
-
J: Mr J W Hendrick
T: Henry De Bromhead
9
11-7
138
153
Made it 2-2 in completed chases when returning from a long absence to win by 10l at Punchestown (2m6f, heavy) in January; he's shot up the weights and is in a much hotter race here, but he did it in fine style last time and could have more left in the tank for his top yard; has won at up to 3m1f.
2(0)
-P13P1
Annual Invictus
-
J: Mr Freddie Gordon
T: Chris Gordon
8
11-13
144
150
Back over hurdles for last few starts with two wins (3m, good), including here; won on soft/heavy earlier in career; it was a personal best last time and he won two chases (including here) in 2021 but he failed to kick on over fences; remains to be seen whether chasing is still his game.
7(0)
5-P281
Coeur Serein
-
J: Mr William Biddick
T: Jonjo O'Neill
9
11-9
140
146
Went close at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) in December and back to form when comfortably winning three-runner handicap at Newbury (2m7f, good) last month; also effective on soft; however, he needs a career best if he's to win this competitive race and his jumping can sometimes lack fluency.
6(0)
66R1P2
Dunboyne
-
J: Mr J J Codd
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-10
141
144
Refused to race at Punchestown in November; won at Gowran (2m4f, heavy) six days later and bounced back from Fairyhouse flop with narrow defeat in the Thyestes at Gowran (3m1f, soft to heavy) in January; open to further improvement for top yard and Jamie Codd has won this four times; shortlisted.
11(0)
531296
Lord Accord
-
J: Mr D G Lavery
T: Neil Mulholland
8
11-6
137
151
Won here (3m1f, good) last October and fine second in the Badger Beer at Wincanton (3m1f, good to firm) next time; he was in tough races when below par the next twice and a return to form can't be ruled out, but there is a concern if it's soft ground (has won on good to soft).
16(0)
41-140
Fontaine Collonges
-
J: Miss A B O'Connor
T: Venetia Williams
8
11-4
135
148
Disappointing favourite in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last month; however, the good to soft going may not have suited and she can be given a big chance on her soft-ground runs at the end of last year, winning at Haydock (3m1f) then staying on well for fourth at Kempton (3m); this stiff test should be ideal and her trainer saddled the first/third last year.
22(0)
B8421U
Angels Dawn
-
J: Mr P A King
T: S Curling
8
11-0
131
147
Short-headed at Punchestown (2m7f, soft to heavy) in December on third chase start and went one better at Down Royal in January (3m, soft; Ballykeel second); bang there when unseating two out at Punchestown (3m4f, yielding) last month and this progressive mare could be a key contender.
8(0)
P51-19
Slipway
-
J: Miss Gina Andrews
T: Ben Pauling
8
11-8
139
151
Won when up in trip at Perth (3m6f, good to soft) last April and followed up at Fontwell (3m3f, good to soft) in November; ran well on soft early in career and surplus stamina is no bad thing on this stiff track, but he needs to bounce back from a disappointing run at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft).
20(0)
1-2530
Western Zara
-
J: Mr T Power Roche
T: Paul Nolan
7
11-1
132
152
Won on her chase debut at Clonmel (2m4f, heavy) and fair third of 12 to Punitive in Fairyhouse handicap (3m5f, soft) in December; this is just her sixth chase start and improvement is possible, but she was soundly beaten at Leopardstown in December last time out and others are more compelling.
3(0)
14-124
Beauport
-
J: Mr Zac Baker
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
7
11-12
143
146
Has made mistakes when failing to threaten in warm novice chases the last twice; however, he made a pleasing chase debut in a Listed race at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) last October and is well handicapped on his best hurdle form at up to an extended 2m7f; could be a contender if minimising the blunders.
1(0)
2RP-B2
Mr Incredible
-
J: Mr P W Mullins
T: W P Mullins
7
12-0
145
150
Reluctant to race on occasions and the drop back in trip could be a negative after his second in the Warwick Classic in January (3m5f, heavy); however, it was a really promising second start for his top yard and this lightly raced 7yo may have more to offer, with the stiff track a plus at least.
23(0)
433241
Ballykeel
-
J: Mr H C Swan
T: Gordon Elliott
7
10-12
129
150
Went close behind Angels Dawn on handicap chase debut at Down Royal (3m, soft) in January and got off the mark over fences at the seventh attempt in Fairyhouse novice (3m1f, yielding) three weeks ago; only seven and he's open to further improvement for his top Irish trainer.
15(0)
753711
Stumptown
-
J: Mr B O'Neill
T: Gavin Cromwell
6
11-4
135
153
Soft-ground maiden hurdle winner who has got back on track with comfortable handicap chase wins the last twice (2m5f/3m, yielding/good) and his win at Sandown latest has been franked by the runner-up; up 10lb since last time but this thriving 6yo could still be ahead of the handicapper.
RACING POST TIP
Fontaine Collonges
The mare FONTAINE COLLONGES dug deep to beat subsequent Welsh National runner-up The Big Breakaway over 3m1f at Haydock in November, and her fast-finishing fourth over 3m at Kempton in December also suggests today's test will be an ideal fit. The ground was soft for both of those runs, and good to soft going may not have suited when she was disappointing at Haydock last month. Cheekpieces had a positive effect on Rapper when he won in fine style over C&D on New Year's Day and he is feared most with a visor now applied. Dr Kananga could return to form with a big performance if, as expected, he's back on his favoured testing ground, while the highly progressive Stumptown has to be respected. Fellow Irish challengers Mr Incredible, Dunboyne, Royal Thief and Angels Dawn are others who can run well.
Verdict
KIM MUIR PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2022 | Chambard | 12211 | 10 | 40-1 | Venetia Williams | Lucy Turner |
| 2021 | Mount Ida | 310-312 | 8 | 3-1F | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2020 | Milan Native | 52422 | 7 | 9-1 | Gordon Elliott | Rob James |
| 2019 | Ay Second Now | 1-8-5253 | 7 | 6-1 | Ted Walsh |
Derek O’Connor
|
| 2018 | Missed Approach | 8-P632 | 8 | 8-1 | Warren Greatrex |
Noel McParlan
|
| 2017 | Domesday Book | 4-5683 | 7 | 40-1 | Stuart Edmunds | Gina Andrews |
| 2016 | Cause Of Causes | 18-005 | 8 | 9-2 | Gordon Elliott | Jamie Codd |
| 2015 | The Package | P-30-6P | 12 | 9-1 | David Pipe | Jamie Codd |
| 2014 | Spring Heeled | 13280 | 7 | 12-1 | Jim Culloty |
Robbie McNamara
|
| 2013 | Same Difference | 6-1993 | 7 | 16-1 | Nigel Twiston-Davies | Ryan Hatch |
KIM MUIR KEY TRENDS AND STATS
- Officially rated 137 to 143, 9/10
- Rated within 6lb of RPR top-rated, 8/10
- Aged seven to nine, 8/10
- No more than 10 runs over fences, 8/10
- Ran at a previous festival, 7/10
- Finished in first three in either or both of last two starts, 7/10
- Ran over at least 3m last time, 6/10
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - KIM MUIR 2022
In a race that has been dominated by the Irish in recent years, it was the home side who caused a shock as the Venetia Williams-trained Chambard duly obliged in the Kim Muir at 40-1. Mister Coffey and School Boy Hours were the pre-race favourites at 5-1, but the latter was pulled up at the second-last fence, while the former did not have the speed to catch the winner as he finished two and a half lengths behind in second. Chambard was one of the oldest in the race at ten, so his experience proved vital as he led for most of the race and never looked like conceding when running up the Cheltenham hill.