New Year's Day: punters plunge for new favourite in Cheltenham handicap chase

Your one-stop shop for the day's big-race action at Cheltenham on New Year's Day

There is a new favourite for the big handicap chase at Cheltenham as punters have sided with Shakem Up'Arry to give his owner Harry Redknapp a flying start to 2023.

The nine-year-old has been supported into 5-1 from 7-1 last night, usurping Midnight River at the top of the market for the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (1.55).

Shakem Up'Arry boasts Grade 1 form as he chased home Metier in the 2021 Tolworth Hurdle. He is a two-time winner over fences and ended last season with a respectable third in the Red Rum at Aintree.

An impressive win at Exeter on his reappearance suggests he is open to more improvement and his trainer Ben Pauling is hopeful of a bold showing.

He said: "He's in good order. The ground should be soft enough but he showed at Exeter he doesn't need it bottomless. He should do himself proud again."

The trainer's Harper's Brook has also been nibbled at in the Paddy Power Novices' Chase (1.20), as he is now a 10-1 chance having been available at as big as 16-1 yesterday.

Others for support in the New Year's Day Handicap Chase include Coconut Splash, who is 8-1 from 10-1, while Simply The Betts, War Lord and Nassalam are all positives.

Posted at 9.45am

Going update

The going has eased to good to soft, soft in places (from good to soft) at Cheltenham ahead of the track's New Year's Day fixture.

The card, which includes the Grade 2 careers@dornangroup.com Relkeel Hurdle (2.30) featuring Marie's Rock, Knappers Hill and I Like To Move It, will usher in 2023 on decent ground.

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin said on Sunday morning: "We had 5mm of rain on Friday night and into Saturday morning, with a further 5mm yesterday. We're looking forward to a day of competitive racing."

Grade 1 winner Monmiral will head to post for the other Grade 2 on the card, the Paddy Power Novices' Chase (1.20), while the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (1.55) sees several runners from November's Paddy Power Gold Cup clash again.

The forecast for the remainder of the day is largely dry.

At Tramore, the going has changed to heavy from soft, though no further rain is expected at the venue.

Updated at 11.10am

Exeter passes inspection

Exeter has passed its second 10am inspection with final checks complete and safety vehicles able to access the configured track.

The going is heavy on the chase course and hurdles track following an initial inspection at 8.30am, with the first race set to get under way at 12.20.

Clerk of the course Dan Cooper said: "We wouldn't have raced yesterday due to large volumes of standing water but it was dry when I left at 6pm and we've had very little since.

"We were able to pass the inspection due to contingency plans with emergency rail movements, plus one bypassed obstacle, so we're heavy, raceable ground."

The feature is the NAF Handicap Chase (2.40), in which Southern Sam, Anglers Crag and Lady Kk are among the fancied runners.

Posted at 10.20am

Top stories: Cheltenham heads New Year's Day action

It may be a new year but the run of top-quality action continues on Sunday as Cheltenham opens its doors for its traditional opening meeting of 2023.

The Relkeel Hurdle (2.30) headlines the card and Marie's Rock bids to defeat the boys on her first start since landing the Mares' Hurdle at the festival in March.

While Paul Nicholls will be hoping to take her down with Knappers Hill, the champion trainer could be in line for another Graded success with Monmiral, who is a warm order for the Dippers Novices' Chase (1.20).

The real punters' challenge is the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (1.55), a £100,000 contest boasting a full field which has shaped into a fiendishly competitive affair.

Action also comes from Musselburgh, where the Fitzdares "Auld Reekie" Handicap Chase (1.35) ushers in the start of the new year in Scotland. Exeter, Cattrick and Fakenham also hold jumps meetings.

In Ireland, the Savills New Year's Day Chase (2.15) will be without the familiar sight of Al Boum Photo, who has claimed the last four runnings of Tramore's Grade 3 contest and was retired in June.

Stablemate Stattler will be bidding to pick up where the dual Gold Cup winner left off but will face his own Gold Cup foe in Minella Indo, who makes his first start this season.

Throw in the chase debut of the intriguing James Du Berlais at Fairyhouse and we've got a packed day of fascinating racing in store to herald in 2023 in style.

Posted at 7am

Non-runners: Cheltenham

12.10 Iliko D'Olivate (bruised foot)
12.45 Found On (going)
1.20 Mortlach (going)
3.05 Peking Rose (going)
3.40 Shinji (blood analysis not normal), Scratch Card (blood analysis not normal)

Updated at 9.45am

Read Sunday's previews:

1.20 Cheltenham: 'I wouldn't swap him' - who is keen to take on Monmiral in a hot novice chase?

1.35 Musselburgh: 'I couldn't be happier with him' - will the Auld Reekie be won by the home team?

1.55 Cheltenham: 'We might see a different horse' - key quotes for tricky New Year's Day handicap

2.15 Tramore: 'We're delighted with him at home' - can Stattler see off a Gold Cup winner?

2.30 Cheltenham: Marie's Rock gifted 'handy allowance' on big-race return

3.05 Cheltenham: 'He looks overpriced at 10-1' - which trainer has high hopes at Cheltenham?

Fairyhouse: 'He should take to fences like a duck to water' - Mullins excited by Berlais

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