Punting pointers for the first big betting heat of the week

2.50 Cheltenham
Ultima Handicap Chase | Grade 3 | 3m1f | 5yo+ | Old Course | RUK/ITV

There may still be nights in the Williams household when someone wakes up in a cold sweat after a vision of Maljimar being caught on the line by Wichita Lineman in this race nine years ago.

The wait to claim a first festival winner went on until 2017 for Nick Williams – when Flying Tiger ended the drought in the Fred Winter – and now the Devon trainer saddles one of the likely market leaders for the Ultima Handicap in Coo Star Sivola, who has finished in the money in two previous appearances at this meeting over hurdles.

Coo Star Sivola ran a fine fourth over 2m5f here on trials day in January before relishing a first start over 3m when winning a novice handicap chase by 14 lengths at Exeter last time.

Who wants to be favourite?

This race has returned 11 winners at single figure prices in 17 editions since the turn of the century, though curiously Wichita Lineman is the only winning favourite since Antonin in 1994.

Coo Star Sivola’s main challengers at the head of the market include Singlefarmpayment, who was beaten a short head in this 12 months ago and races off a 3lb higher mark.

Vintage Clouds was also in the process of running a big race that day when coming down two out and has been in good form this year, his second season as a novice.

Higher-weighted horses on a roll

One of the go-to trends at Cheltenham until recently was to discard those carrying more than 11st in handicap chases, but that statistic has been punctured in each of the last four editions.

Henderson keeps hitting the frame

Nicky Henderson may not have a reputation for hiding too many secrets from the handicapper and his sole success in this race came with Marlborough in 2000.

But since then he has saddled six horses to be second or third from just 18 runners, with Ma Filleule the only one of the six to carry under 11st.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Gold Present, O O Seven and Beware The Bear
Beware The Bear is the most likely to go in soft ground – he’s won in very testing conditions. We missed opportunities galore with Gold Present when he had an issue with a foot problem. I would’ve liked to have run him at Kempton. We missed that and now we’ve missed the ground, but he’s in fantastic form. If he and O O Seven are going to go to Aintree they have got to run.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer of Sizing Codelco
We’re happy with him even though his best form last year was definitely on better ground. We’re keen to get a run into him and he’s handicapped up to the hilt, but this will put him right for Aintree.

Richard Hobson, trainer of Shantou Flyer
He’s been running off those big weights all year and, if anything, he’s well in off 149 with James Bowen’s 3lb claim. Kelso was a farce of a race which turned into a sprint up the home straight. All it did was freshen him up coming into Cheltenham and he’s coming into the race in great shape.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Vicente
He needs to run somewhere before he runs in the National or the SHe needs to run somewhere before he runs in the National or the Scottish National and this is really the only race left. I wish the ground was better, but we’ve got to go somewhere.

Sue Smith, trainer of Wakanda and Vintage Clouds
Vintage Clouds has done some nice things this season and won first time out. He’s grown up quite a lot and is a lot slicker with his jumping, so hopefully he can put up a good show. I’m not 100 per cent sure he loves it really heavy, but he’s pretty versatile. Wakanda has been a good for us. Ideally I’d have liked a bit better ground for him, but the Arkle is the first chase and there’s only five runners, so hopefully we’ll get the best of the ground.

Tom George, trainer of Singlefarmpayment
He’s won on the ground before. He had a blip last time and we’ve done plenty of jumping practice with him and plenty of work. He looks in good form and has been schooling well, so we’re happy.

David Pipe, trainer of Ramses De Teillee and Eamon An Cnoic
Ramses De Teillee has had a good season and travels and jumps well, which will hopefully help him round Cheltenham. He’ll handle conditions and hopefully have an each-way chance. Eamon An Cnoic won’t mind conditions. He’s been running over shorter distances but has always given the impression he’ll get three miles. He’ll be held up and produced late.

Coo Star Sivola and Lizzie Kelly wing the last on their way to victory at WarwickCredit: Getty Images

Nick Williams, trainer of Coo Star Sivola
I’m astounded at the price because he’s been to Cheltenham already this season and been beaten off a 7lb lower mark. I don’t think he has a ground preference.

Peter Bowen, trainer of Minella Daddy
He had a bit of time off and then needed the run badly first time, so hopefully he’s fully primed for this. He’s off 139 and has been as high as 145, while he’s definitely a better horse than when he went to Ascot, so we’d be hopeful he’ll run well.

Gary Moore, trainer of Casse Tete
He won nicely at Warwick last time and has gone up another 5lb for that. I’m hoping the step up in trip will help him, but we won’t know until we try.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Cogry
I think he has a squeak. He’s gone in this sort of ground before and I think he could surprise a few people.

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