GB - Cheltenham - Race 5

Thoroughbred

9 Runners

15.9f

Handicap Chase

Turf

Good to Soft

137.5K

VIEW

Verdict

CALICO is only 2 lb higher than when winning this race last season and Dan Skelton's charge can enhance his fine record fresh to make it back-to-back to wins in the contest. Front-runner Matata developed into a very smart chaser last season and has to be respected dropping back from Graded company, whilst Irish raider Jasko des Dames bumped into a well-treated sort at Listowel last month and completes the shortlist in an intriguing contest.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
5	Enhanced good record fresh when winning this race on his return last season and signed off for the first with a fine second in the Red Rum at Aintree, faring easily the best of those to come from rear. Leading contender. 1st Pick 5 Calico (Ger) Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Dan Skelton J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	100	-	-	-	20%
Analysis Enhanced good record fresh when winning this race on his return last season and signed off for the first with a fine second in the Red Rum at Aintree, faring easily the best of those to come from rear. Leading contender.
1	Headstrong sort but developed into a very smart sort last season, winning over C&D in November prior to producing a high-class performance under top weight when landing 8-runner handicap at Windsor (2m) in January. Highly tried after and he's very much respected back in a handicap. 2nd Pick 1 Matata (Ire) Jockey: J. J. Slevin Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies J: J. J. Slevin T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies	98	-	-	-	34%
Analysis Headstrong sort but developed into a very smart sort last season, winning over C&D in November prior to producing a high-class performance under top weight when landing 8-runner handicap at Windsor (2m) in January. Highly tried after and he's very much respected back in a handicap.
7	Quickly proved himself a better chaser than hurdler last season when winning at Wexford and Punchestown. Fifth in the Grand Annual at the Festival here later in the campaign and was a creditable second in a 13-runner handicap at Listowel last month. Respected with fitness on his side. 3rd Pick 7 Jasko Des Dames (Fr) Jockey: D. J. O'keeffe Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Ireland J: D. J. O'keeffe T: Henry De Bromhead, Ireland	98	-	-	-	36%
Analysis Quickly proved himself a better chaser than hurdler last season when winning at Wexford and Punchestown. Fifth in the Grand Annual at the Festival here later in the campaign and was a creditable second in a 13-runner handicap at Listowel last month. Respected with fitness on his side.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Fast

A dry dirt track that is typically an ideal racing surface.

Main Track Only

A horse entered for main track only (MTO) is one hoping the weather forecast or track conditions will move the race off the turf course and onto the main track. They are scratched the morning of the race if the conditions stay dry.

Bute

Shortened word for phenylbutazone, the common non-steroidal medication legal at most racetrack.