1.50 Cheltenham: 'His schooling on Thursday was electric' - key quotes and analysis for handicap

It is a bit more than just wishful thinking to suggest this is the week of the first spring handicap chases. Thursday's Thyestes Chase has a long history of producing horses for the spring festivals, while good-ground stayers often start off in this afternoon's Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster. 

This race is a continuation of Cheltenham's diet of big handicaps around two and a half miles and the difference from the equivalent race on New Year's Day is noticeable. Around half the field from the lost December Gold Cup turned up in that race. Only three have moved on to this one.

This race lives up to its name as a trial for March's Plate at the festival and a number of these runners could well return in 47 days' time. The five-fold on Coole Cody, Simply The Betts, Spiritofthegames, Caribean Boy and Il Ridoto would not pay much. More inquisitive eyes might be drawn to Brave Seasca or Allmankind, whose spring plans are likely to include good handicaps.

Brave Seasca needs to put a disappointing run at Cheltenham last time behind himCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ante-post festival bets can wait until at least Saturday evening, and besides if you want the Plate winner you should also pore over the red-hot novice handicap chase at 12.10. 

In terms of finding the winner of this race it is hard to argue with Fugitif as favourite, who was so impressive at Chepstow over Christmas. His trainer Richard Hobson was in a funk last season but is faring better now, with more winners and seconds from his 47 runners this season than from 72 last term. It could easily be argued that second-season chaser Fugitif has more to come.

At bigger odds, Phoenix Way is worth a look. He beat Fanion D'Estruval on last year's Clarence House card and shaped as though he was coming good for the same time of year when fourth to Fugitif at Chepstow, when he fared better than anything else coming from off the pace. He remains a chaser with unfinished business, and could be cherry-ripe today while others work towards the spring.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Richard Hobson on Fugitif: 'He's still handicapped to win'

Richard Hobson has put last season's sickness-affected campaign well and truly behind him and, having already landed the Old Roan Chase with Riders Onthe Storm, takes aim at another major prize. 

Fugitif bolted up in a 2m3½f handicap chase at Chepstow on Welsh Grand National dayCredit: Getty Images

The imposing Fugitif won in a canter on Welsh Grand National day at Chepstow when stepped up to just shy of two and a half miles and Hobson believes there is still more to come.

Hobson said: "The horse is super. I always felt he'd be a Saturday afternoon horse in time and he’s proved that by winning at Chepstow on a big day. He’s still handicapped to win if he puts his best foot forward, which I think he will. 

"I do think this horse is at his best in wet ground as he showed when it rained at Chepstow the day he won. If it’s on the dead side, he won’t like it as much but his wellbeing means we have to go as he’s in great order."

What they say

Venetia Williams, trainer of Brave Seasca
He's got a tough task, for sure, carrying top weight in a very competitive race. Things didn't work out well for him on his two previous trips to Cheltenham so let's hope it's third time lucky.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Allmankind and Spiritofthegames
Allmankind just hasn’t had the form there recently. He’s being made to pay for having a very productive novice and post-novice time of it, but I feel like he’s coming back a bit at home. Spiritofthegames is a standing dish in these races. He went well in blinkers the last day and hopefully he’s an each-way chance as he normally produces that type of run.

Coole Cody (striped sleeves) and Spiritofthegames are both regular fixtures in the big Cheltenham handicaps over two and a half milesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Evan Williams, trainer of Coole Cody
He’s 12 years of age and with all due respect to everything he’s done, he can’t keep doing it. I didn’t want to run him in handicaps but the handicapper did give us a few pounds the other day so we’ll run him and see where we are with the old boy back to where he likes it. When you get to the age he is now, to reproduce what he’s done in the past is almost impossible. It’s not about figures on paper, it’s more about wellbeing and how he runs.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Il Ridoto and Simply The Betts
Il Ridoto ran very well the last day, I thought he lacked a bit of concentration going to the last — if he had jumped it quicker he would have gone closer. We’ve put some cheekpieces on him just to sharpen him up and I think he’s got a nice chance again. Simply The Betts was a tad disappointing on his last run but he’s becoming okay handicapped again and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran really well.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Your Darling
I was actually very pleased with his run at Kempton because he showed a better level of form second run back than he has done in previous years and I just don’t think he quite stayed three miles. He’s in very good order at home and his schooling on Thursday was electric. I’m just hoping and praying the ground is not an absolute gluepot — which I’m concerned it might be — because I genuinely think he’s in the same form as when he went to Ascot. If that’s the case he’s got a great chance.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Guy and One True King
Guy wouldn’t want it to get too soft but I don’t think it will be. He’s in good form. One True King should be suited by coming back in trip and he doesn’t mind the ground either way.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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