The Plate Handicap Steeple Chase Tips (4:10pm)

[StevieDay1983]

Previously known as the Mildmay Of Flete, the Festival Plate is a handicap chase run over the intermediate trip of 2M 4F 127 yards of the new course. Novices have an excellent record in the race with 6 of the last 7 winners in their first or second season over fences. The past 7 winners have contested a graded novice hurdle or novice chase. Stables that have done well in the race in the past include David Pipe who collectively with his father Martin have won 7 of the last 25 renewals whilst both Venetia Williams and Nicky Henderson have won the race multiple times. Ireland have won 4 of the last 7 renewals. Last year’s 22/1 winner Coole Cody broke a four year run of well backed horses winning. As with all the handicaps this week expect a maximum field of 24.

Current ante post favourite is the Emmet Mullins trained JP McManus owned So Scottish who we haven’t seen since chasing Boothill home at Ascot in November over 2M 1F. He’s been trained for this event (no other entries at the meeting) and looks sure to be thereabouts with the only thing not to like at the moment being his price of around 9/2. Il Ridoto has run well in competitive handicaps here on three attempts this season culminating in his victory on Cheltenham Trials Day when beating Fugitif a length. The latter is 2lb better off and is another who has each way claims.

Nicholls’ Stage Star also has an entry but is more likely to run in one of the two novice chases he’s entered in. Willie Mullins’ Adamantly Chosen also has the option of the Ultima and the Turners but is a decent novice who would be very much of interest if running here. Haut En Couleurs would of beaten Fakir D’Oudairies had he not fallen at the last at Thurles in January but was a tad disappointing when only second to stablemate Janidil the following month at Gowran Park. He will probably run elsewhere but were he to turn up he would be a player despite a hefty weight. 

Balco Coastal’s form looks pretty solid with Solo whom he beat cosily at Kempton on Boxing Day winning in graded company since whilst it was no shame to chase home the smart Gerri Colombe in grade one company last time. Nicky Henderson’s seven year old can go well if running here rather than in his other entry, the Turners Novices’ Chase. Henderson also has Bold Endeavour entered who flopped at Ascot last time.

Jamie Snowden’s Datsalrightgino took his form up a level when runner up in grade two company last time and he also has solid each way claims. An interesting Irish challenger is the Martin Brassil trained seven year old Fasterlow who went down by a short head in last season’s Coral Cup and has kept he highest of company over fences in two starts this season been. Beaten over twenty lengths on both outings. He may have been trained for this and has to be on the short list. Mouse Morris has entered French Dynamite, who is also in the Ryanair, and has a touch of class about him having chased home the smart Fakir D’Oudairies at Thurles last time. He’ll carry a big weight but has claims if taking this option.

Another home challenger who could make his presence felt is the Dan Skelton trained Midnight River who has shown his liking for this track by winning a premier handicap over course and distance on New Years Day. He’s risen 7lb for that victory but is not out of this. A tough race but with Emmet Mullins having landed many a punt over the years on these shores including in this very contest two years ago with The Shunter can land this with his improver So Scottish who appears to have been laid out for this contest.

Punters Lounge Tip: So Scottish 9/2 NR NB at >bet365 - Click Here To Bet

by The Brigadier

[The Brigadier]

Previously known as the Mildmay Of Flete, the Festival Plate is a handicap chase run over the intermediate trip of 2M 4F 127 yards of the new course. Novices have an excellent record in the race with 6 of the last 7 winners in their first or second season over fences. The past 7 winners have contested a graded novice hurdle or novice chase. Stables that have done well in the race in the past include David Pipe who collectively with his father Martin have won 7 of the last 25 renewals whilst both Venetia Williams and Nicky Henderson have won the race multiple times. Ireland have won 4 of the last 7 renewals. Last year’s 22/1 winner Coole Cody broke a four year run of well backed horses winning.

HAUT EN COULEURS

Willie Mullins representative heads the weights and has a touch of class about him. Fell at the last when looking likely to beat the smart Fakir D’Oudairies at Thurles in January and chased home Janidil, who heads for the Ryanair earlier in the card, at Gowran Park in a grade 2. First handicap here and will be ridden by Michael O’Sullivan who excelled when winning the opening race of the meeting on Marine Nationale and is excellent value for his 3lb claim.

TWO FOR GOLD

Smart last year but pulled up in last season’s Grand National and only 5th in Grand Sefton at Aintree on re-appearance. Kim Bailey’s veteran needs to bounce back here with regular rider David Bass riding.

STOLEN SILVER

Capable on best form and his runner up to Midnight River over course and distance on New Years Day gives him a squeak but flopped last time at Warwick and has questions to answer now under Sam Twiston-Davies for trainer Sam Thomas.

MIDNIGHT RIVER

Has won 2 of his 3 starts this season for Dan Skelton including over course and distance in New Years Day by 2 1/4L. 7lb higher here and on a career high handicap mark. Brother Harry in the saddle and suited by the mud.

ESCARIA TEN

One of three Gordon Elliott runners ridden today by Aidan Heskin. A bit hit and miss nowadays but has small each way claims on his very best form.

FUGITIF

In good form this season winning well at Chepstow over Christmas and followed that up with a highly credible second beaten a length to Il Ridoto over course and distance. 2lb better off today and Richard Hobson’s charge has each way claims especially if any more rain hits the track.

IL RIDOTO

Trainer Paul Nicholls has talked this one up coming into the Festival. Appeared to see the trip out better when winning over course and distance in January in first time cheek pieces and if working for a second time is a serious player here.

DATSALRIGHTGINO

A novice trained by Jamie Snowden who’s kept good novice company in his six starts over fences. Up another 4lb for latest second to Solo in a grade two. Creeping up the handicap but has a good shout to hit the frame.

EMBITTERED

7th in the Grand Annual last season. Running well enough in handicap company in Ireland this season for trainer Joseph O’Brien though has to prove he truly stays this intermediate trip. Bryan Cooper rides.

WAR LORD

Useful novice last season (4th in Arkle here). Came back to form last time in first time tongue tie but needs to step forward again for West Country trainer Joe Tizzard.

COOLE CODY

Last year’s winner who can race today off of a 2lb lower mark. Loves this track but shown precious little on his last two starts and hard to fancy now especially as Even Williams’ charge is now 12 years old.

SO SCOTTISH

Sold to JP McManus since his promising runner up effort at Ascot in November and reportedly aimed at this contest. 8lb higher now though and any rain would be against him as his best form is on good. In the hands of the shrewd operator Emmet Mullins and has to be taken seriously if not too soft.

SEDDON

Irish trained (John McConnell) and bolted up in 16 runner Leopardstown handicap chase over this trip over Christmas winning by 13L. Handicapper has clobbered him since though having shunted him up 20lb. 5lb claimer Ben Harvey takes the ride.

MARVEL DE CERISY

One of two Henry De Bromhead runners. Lightly raced over fences and this is his fourth start over them today. Rachael Blackmore rides in his first handicap and could be well treated.

CHAMPAGNE GOLD

The second Henry De Bromhead runner who will be ridden by Aidan Coleman today. Also lightly raced over fences but not seen since runner up over course and distance last October and has a 146 day absence to overcome.

SHAKEM UP’ARRY

Won well on re-appearance at Exeter and was well backed in handicap over course and distance when finishing 5th of 16 beaten 11L to Midnight River and now 7lb better with that rival. Owned by Harry Redknapp and trained by Ben Pauling. Likely outsider.

MARS HARPER

Lightly raced novice trained by Gordon Elliott. Ran well only 11 days ago at Leopardstown in finishing runner up but hasn’t won for awhile and needs a personal best under Jordan Gainford.

GEVREY

Another Gordon Elliott runner who won at Limerick last October but flopped last time on heavy ground and hasn’t been seen for 110 days. Sam Ewing rides.

HEREDITARY RULE

Not seen for 125 days and this John McConnell trained eight year old may struggle on ground that may be too soft for him.

CELEBRE D’ALLEN

Has dropped to his last winning mark following three efforts this season. In the hands of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White and not without an each way shout here with Michael Nolan doing the steering.

FRERO BANBOU

Dropped in the weights and has each way claims here. Trainer Venetia Williams has been out of form this last week mind and that’s a worry.

BORN BY THE SEA

Been awhile since Paul Gilligan’s nine year worried the judge and hard to fancy much here today. A big outsider.

CAPTAIN TOM CAT

Not seen for 104 days and has plenty on here for the Dr Newland camp. Charlie Hammond rides.

BOWTOGREATNESS

Lightly raced over fences. This is only his fifth start over the bigger obstacles. Will need to up his game here for local handler Ben Pauling and jockey Kevin Brogan.

GEMIRANDE (1st reserve)

In form Venetia Williams trained seven year old. Each way claims if getting in race although stable form has to be a worry.

IL COURRA (2nd reserve)

Big outsider and hard to fancy for Irish trainer C W J Farrell even if getting a run.

Summary:-

A wide open renewal of the Plate Handicap Chase. So Scottish has been on my radar for this race for awhile but I could only fancy him if the ground was on the good side having been bought since his last run by JP McManus. Top weight Haut En Couleurs can be competitive but preference today to small stakes each way is the Paul Nicholls trained Il Ridoto who appeared to benefit from first time cheek pieces last time and can go well despite a 8lb rise.

1 Il Ridoto 8/1 EW bet365 6 places

2 Haut En Couleurs

3 So Scottish

[MCLARKE]

Key statistics

French bred horses have a poor record with 1 from 57

Best weight range is 10st 5lb to 10st 11lb with 5 from 67 and a profit of 6 points

Horses with a long lay off don't perform well, those off the course for more than 70 days have won 1 from 61

This leaves jus 1

MASR HARPER 40/1, 5 places