Can Matata justify Champion Chase entry? Analysis and quotes for £50,000 Windsor handicap chase

Matata, who holds an entry in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, competes off a career-high mark of 155, but recent evidence suggests this seven-year-old might still be improving.

He lost nothing in defeat when failing by a neck to concede 9lb to Nells Son – who was making it three wins from his last four starts -– at Kelso last time out.

Matata’s close second to Libberty Hunter at Cheltenham 12 months ago also reads well in view of that winner’s rise up the ratings from 132 to 151.

The presence of Sans Bruit suggests Matata, who enjoys front-running, won’t get an uncontested lead, but that might not necessarily prove any barrier to success.

Etalon could prove the pick of Dan Skelton’s three runners. The eight-year-old, who enjoys soft ground, has dropped 6lb after three defeats this season and shaped as though he could be coming to the boil at Cheltenham last time.

Stablemate Harper’s Brook, a winner off 3lb lower at Wetherby last month, might be high enough in the weights now on 139.

Irish raider Arctic Bresil has made little impact in two runs this term but remains relatively unexposed over fences after just seven runs.
Analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Matata
He never does anything wrong, does he? We'll have to see whether he's been handicapped out of this. He probably has, but we'll see.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Unexpected Party, Harper's Brook and Etalon
It hasn't worked out this season for Etalon but it feels like he's come into form. His coat hasn't fully turned yet and he'll look even better in a month's time but he's definitely getting there. We learned a lot about Harper's Brook at Wetherby and we know what suits him. His chance will be dictated by how the race is run. I don't think he's a rogue at all and I give him a great chance if the race is run to suit him. Unexpected Party is way too high in the handicap after his win at Cheltenham and the handicapper needs to have a serious look at him.

Jonjo O'Neill, joint-trainer of Crebilly
He disappointed over hurdles at Chepstow but nothing came to light afterwards. We're on a fact-finding mission after that but he's got some good chase form in the book. We'd be delighted if he's back to himself but we'll have to wait and see.  

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Sans Bruit
He went too fast last time when getting into an early battle with Editeur Du Gite and he won't do that again. He could just be one of those horses who flourishes in the spring. We're hopeful rather than confident.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

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