2011 National Hunt Steeple Chase Form

Race OverviewCHICAGO GREY is the form pick and, although his jumping hasn't always been impeccable, he has won over this course. Some Target is a proven stayer on the upgrade and is high on the list of dangers, as is Beshabar. At bigger odds, Pearlysteps looks set for a bold show now Henry Daly's stable has emerged from a lean spell.[Paul Johnson]

Odds provided by Paddypower

No.		Runner	Details	Rating
1		Aberdale (IRE) Mr A J Berry Jonjo O'Neill	7 yrs / 160 lbs 1-1321	132

CommentAberdale

Solid enough but needs to improve for step up to 4m

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
24/11/10	WET 25SftCl4 Ch,3K	156 lbs	A P McCoy	1/4 3 3/4l, Silent Cliche[8/15F]11-2
31/10/10	HUN 24GdCl3 NvCh,6K	156 lbs	A P McCoy	2/7 9l, Wayward Prince[11/2]11-2
09/10/10	CHP 24GSCl3 NvCh,5K	149 lbs	Richie McLernon	3/5 12 1/2l, Balthazar King[11/2]11-4
09/05/10	UTT 24GFCl4 NvHd,3K	156 lbs	Richie McLernon	1/10 6l, Pairc Na Gcapall[10/11F]10-10 cheekpiece
11/04/10	STH 20GdCl5 MdHd,2K	154 lbs	A P McCoy	1/10 15l, Mr Moonshine[8/11F]11-0

Show Form

 

2

Alfa Beat (IRE) Mr R P McNamara C Byrnes

7 yrs / 160 lbs 911111

149

CommentAlfa Beat

Phenomenal improver, won last five; stamina to prove

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
15/09/10	LIS 24Gd/YChHc,85K	150 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/18 3 1/2l, Dancing Tornado[6/1]10-12
29/08/10	GAL 22GFChHc,16K	150 lbs	D N Russell	1/9 4 1/2l, Wins Now[15/8F]11-6 tongue str
22/07/10	LIM 22Gd/YHdHc,6K	167 lbs	Mr R P McNamara	1/18 4 1/2l, Carutomark[11/10F]11-3 cheekpiece
02/07/10	WEX 25GFChHc,6K	153 lbs	B C Byrnes	1/15 6l, Bernabeu[13/8F]11-5 blinkers
13/06/10	ROS 24GFChHc,6K	146 lbs	B C Byrnes	1/15 7l, Leney Dow Jones[9/2]10-11 cheekpiece

Show Form

 

3

Arabella Boy (IRE) Miss N Carberry E Bolger

6 yrs / 160 lbs 432221

131

CommentArabella Boy

Some decent form but will need to settle if he's to stay 4m

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	FAI 22HyCh,10K	166 lbs	P Carberry	1/14 Hd, Ballymak[4/1]11-12
16/01/11	FAI 17HyCh,10K	166 lbs	Miss N Carberry	2/15 5 1/2l, Sam Adams[11/10F]11-12 tongue str
06/01/11	THU 24SftCh,5K	166 lbs	Miss N Carberry	2/15 4 1/2l, Slippers Percy[8/13F]11-9
13/11/10	PUN 20Sft/HyCh,8K	165 lbs	Miss N Carberry	2/18 2l, Magnanimity[9/4J]11-12
27/10/10	PUN 20Gd/YCh,8K	164 lbs	Miss N Carberry	3/18 5 1/2l, Thegreatjohnbrowne[7/2]11-12

Show Form

 

4

Beshabar (IRE) Mr T David T Vaughan

9 yrs / 160 lbs 411-B1

138

CommentBeshabar

Useful hurdler; shortlisted after opening chasing account latest

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
23/02/11	DON 24GSCl4 Ch,3K	154 lbs	Richard Johnson	1/4 2l, Cool Mission[30/100F]11-0 cheekpiece
13/11/10	CHL 24GSCl2 NvCh,9K	153 lbs	Christian Williams	BD/8Wayward Prince[10/1]11-4
20/02/10	ASC 19GSCl2 HdHc,31K	156 lbs	R Walsh	1/16 Nk, Tender Falcon[9/4F]10-2
06/02/10	SAN 22SftCl1 G3HdHc,26K	137 lbs	Harry Skelton	1/13 8l, Erzen[10/1]9-11
05/12/09	CHP 24HyCl3 NvCh,7K	155 lbs	Christian Williams	4/8 29 1/2l, Synchronised[9/1]11-2

Show Form

 

5

Be There In Five (IRE) Mr S Waley-Cohen N Henderson

7 yrs / 160 lbs 1-3251

138

CommentBe There In Five

Impressive enough when fair winner latest; more needed

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
05/03/11	KEM 24GdCl3 NvCh,5K	152 lbs	Felix De Giles	1/3 7l, Squadron[9/2]11-4
23/01/11	MAR 22GSCl4 Ch,3K	154 lbs	A P McCoy	5/5 158.0, Quo Video[4/6F]11-0 tongue str
05/01/11	STH 24GSCl4 Ch,3K	154 lbs	A P McCoy	2/5 Hd, Hollo Ladies[6/5F]11-0
25/11/10	NBY 24GSCl1 NvG2Ch,15K	156 lbs	Barry Geraghty	3/5 62l, Aiteen Thirtythree[5/1]11-2
06/03/10	NBY 24GSCl4 NvHd,3K	164 lbs	Barry Geraghty	1/4 Nk, Aiteen Thirtythree[3/1]11-3

Show Form

 

6

Captain Americo (IRE) Mr A T Duff J Ewart

9 yrs / 160 lbs 6-1813

127

CommentCaptain Americo

Step up to this trip big plus but needs to improve plenty

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
05/02/11	WET 25GSCl1 NvG2Ch,13K	154 lbs	Harry Haynes	3/5 11l, Wayward Prince[9/1]11-7
11/01/11	NCS 24SftCl4 Ch,2K	154 lbs	Nick Scholfield	1/6 2 1/4l, Negus De Beaumont[11/10F]11-0
20/11/10	HAY 24GSCl1 LisHdHc,43K	153 lbs	Nick Scholfield	8/18 38l, Grands Crus[22/1]10-10 tongue str
06/11/10	KEL 27GdCl3 HdHc,4K	158 lbs	Harry Haynes	1/11 9l, Rambling Minster[11/2]11-12
16/04/10	AYR 24GdCl3 HdHc,6K	166 lbs	Nick Scholfield	6/12 27 1/2l, Federstar[14/1]11-6

Show Form

 

7

Chamirey (FR) Mr R O Harding D McCain

8 yrs / 160 lbs P-31U1

135

CommentChamirey

Jumping not blemish free; e.w. claims with fluent round

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
26/02/11	NCS 24HyCl2 NvCh,10K	158 lbs	Timmy Murphy	1/4 37l, Whats Up Woody[EvensF]10-13
14/02/11	CAT 25GSCl3 NvCh,5K	158 lbs	Jason Maguire	UR/4You Know Yourself[2/9F]10-13
23/01/11	TOW 24SftCl4 Ch,3K	154 lbs	Timmy Murphy	1/5 27l, Preuty Boy[8/15F]11-0
23/11/10	SED 20SftCl4 Ch,3K	155 lbs	Jason Maguire	3/7 5 3/4l, Kellystown Lad[6/4F]11-1
09/04/10	Ain 24GdCl1 NvG1Hd,57K	158 lbs	Robert Thornton	PU/14Wayward Prince[8/1]11-4

Show Form

 

8

Chicago Grey (IRE) Mr Derek O'Connor G Elliott

8 yrs / 160 lbs 211F25

151

CommentChicago Grey

Course winner with big form chance if staying and jumping

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
28/12/10	LEO 24HyNvG1Ch,43K	164 lbs	D J Condon	5/9 4 3/4l, Bostons Angel[5/1]11-10
11/12/10	CHL 25GSCl2 NvCh,9K	163 lbs	P Carberry	2/8 8l, Time For Rupert[9/2]11-9
13/11/10	CHL 24GSCl2 NvCh,9K	161 lbs	D J Condon	F/8Wayward Prince[5/1]11-4
16/10/10	CHL 24GdCl2 NvCh,9K	162 lbs	P Carberry	1/7 6l, Picture This[13/2]11-0
25/09/10	NAV 20YCh,12K	156 lbs	D J Condon	1/9 1/2l, Sarteano[7/2]10-9 cheekpiece

Show Form

 

9

Double Pride Mr D Murphy A King

7 yrs / 160 lbs 3-34PU

114

CommentDouble Pride

Hard to fancy on form so far, particularly after non-completions

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
28/02/11	PLU 26SftCl4 ChHc,3K	159 lbs	Mr R Jarrett	UR/7Deep Pockets[7/2]11-4
28/01/11	DON 24GdCl3 NvChHc,5K	158 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	PU/11Mostly Bob[4/1]11-12 tongue str
15/12/10	NBY 24GdCl3 NvChHc,6K	156 lbs	Wayne Hutchinson	4/16 16 1/2l, Major Malarkey[7/1]11-6
13/11/10	UTT 24HyCl4 Ch,4K	157 lbs	Andrew Thornton	3/6 7 1/4l, Adams Island[9/2]10-10 cheekpiece
14/03/10	WAR 25GdCl4 NvHd,3K	163 lbs	Robert Thornton	3/9 12l, Barafundle[9/4]11-9

Show Form

 

11

Major Malarkey (IRE) Mr J T Carroll N Twiston-Davies

8 yrs / 160 lbs 0/131P

128

CommentMajor Malarkey

Better than showed latest and trip/ground expected to suit

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/02/11	HAY 28HyCl1 G3ChHc,44K	145 lbs	Sam Twiston-Davies	PU/14Silver By Nature[8/1]11-12
15/12/10	NBY 24GdCl3 NvChHc,6K	160 lbs	Paddy Brennan	1/16 3/4l, Promising Anshan[12/1]11-5
10/11/10	BAN 24SftCl3 ChHc,9K	153 lbs	Paddy Brennan	3/11 8 1/2l, Summery Justice[3/1F]11-9
03/11/10	CHP 24SftCl4 NvChHc,3K	165 lbs	Paddy Brennan	1/11 3 1/2l, Bobby Gee[9/1]11-12
09/04/09	WCN 22GFCl3 HdHc,5K	157 lbs	Tom Molloy	10/12 76 3/4l, Wun Chai[9/1]10-13 blinkers

Show Form

 

12

On His Own (IRE) Mr O Greenall J H Johnson

7 yrs / 160 lbs 10-414

116

CommentOn His Own

Held by Captain Americo on last month's form

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
05/02/11	WET 25GSCl1 NvG2Ch,13K	154 lbs	Brian Hughes	4/5 29l, Wayward Prince[8/1]11-7
14/01/11	MUS 24GSCl4 Ch,3K	156 lbs	Brian Hughes	1/5 1l, Nine De Sivola[4/9F]11-2
01/01/11	CHL 20GSCl3 NvHd,6K	156 lbs	Brian Hughes	4/15 18l, Bobs Worth[16/1]11-8
17/03/10	CHL 16Gd 4-6yCl1 G1NHF,34K	159 lbs	Denis O'Regan	18/24 31 1/2l, Cue Card[40/1]10-12
27/12/09	LEO 20Y 4-7yNHF,7K	163 lbs	Mr R P Quinlan	1/10 3/4l, Some Target[3/1]12-0

Show Form

 

13

Pearlysteps Mr T Greenall H Daly

8 yrs / 160 lbs 4-2213

140

CommentPearlysteps

Solid enough form to have e.w. chance if jumps and stays

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
29/01/11	CHL 21GSCl2 NvChHc,13K	157 lbs	Jake Greenall	3/8 3 1/2l, The Giant Bolster[8/1]11-12
03/01/11	HER 25SftCl4 Ch,3K	147 lbs	Jake Greenall	1/5 2 1/4l, Alderley Rover[5/4F]11-0
20/11/10	HUN 20GSCl3 NvCh,6K	155 lbs	Leighton Aspell	2/6 2 1/4l, Golan Way[4/1]11-7
10/11/10	BAN 20SftCl4 Ch,4K	149 lbs	Jake Greenall	2/7 4l, Wymott[18/1]11-2
03/04/10	HAY 20Hy 4-8yCl2 NvHdHc,11K	155 lbs	Mr O Greenall	4/13 11 3/4l, Mcmurrough[12/1]10-5

Show Form

 

14

Regal Approach (IRE) Mr C Greene K Bailey

8 yrs / 160 lbs -21386

121

CommentRegal Approach

Not built on game win; expected to be suited by trip

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
05/02/11	SAN 20GdCl3 NvHdHc,3K	161 lbs	Jason Maguire	6/17 11 3/4l, Firm Order[15/2]11-8
29/12/10	NBY 22GSCl3 NvChHc,6K	158 lbs	Jason Maguire	8/15 22 3/4l, Misstree Dancer[5/1]11-3
10/12/10	CHL 21GdCl3 CdChHc,6K	154 lbs	Ed Cookson	3/17 10 1/2l, Fine Parchment[7/1]11-2 tongue str
27/11/10	NBY 22GSCl3 NvChHc,11K	151 lbs	Sean Quinlan	1/14 Nk, In The Zone[7/1]10-7
07/11/10	Ffo 21GSCl4 NvChHc,3K	166 lbs	Jason Maguire	2/6 6l, The Rainbow Hunter[11/10F]11-4

Show Form

 

15

Some Target (IRE) Mr P W Mullins W Mullins

7 yrs / 160 lbs 5-2351

139

CommentSome Target

Going right way judged on 3m4f win; more to come

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
30/01/11	PUN 28SftChHc,16K	151 lbs	P Townend	1/16 2l, Noble Concorde[9/2]10-3 cheekpiece
31/12/10	PUN 24Sft/HyCh,8K	166 lbs	P Townend	5/11 50l, Royal De La Thinte[3/1F]11-11 tongue str
13/11/10	PUN 20Sft/HyCh,8K	166 lbs	P Townend	3/18 6l, Magnanimity[5/1]11-12
04/05/10	BAL 22GdCh,5K	166 lbs	P Townend	2/13 4l, Warcraft[3/1F]11-7
04/04/10	FAI 24HyNvHdHc,35K	156 lbs	R Walsh	5/25 20 1/4l, Quito De La Roque[11/2F]11-5

Show Form

 

16

Sona Sasta (IRE) Mr J J Codd D Pipe

8 yrs / 160 lbs 117-11

128

CommentSona Sasta

Thorough stayer who jumps well and has plenty going for him

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
19/01/11	NBY 24SftCl3 ChHc,5K	151 lbs	Danny Cook	1/11 7l, The Rainbow Hunter[5/6F]11-4
10/01/11	TAU 23GSCl4 ChHc,4K	154 lbs	Danny Cook	1/9 18l, Omix D'Or[4/5F]11-8 cheekpiece
14/04/10	CHL 24GdCl3 NvHdHc,5K	154 lbs	Tom Scudamore	7/20 19l, Munlochy Bay[6/1F]9-11 cheekpiece
11/02/10	HUN 26SftCl4 HdHc,3K	160 lbs	Tom Scudamore	1/9 1/2l, Immense[11/4J]10-2 tongue str
28/01/10	Ffo 24GSCl4 HdHc,4K	150 lbs	Tom Scudamore	1/16 4l, Hopeful Start[8/1]11-7

Show Form

 

17

Carlas Dream (IRE) Mr B O'Neill Denis Paul Murphy

9 yrs / 153 lbs UUP-98

110

CommentCarlas Dream

Lost her way over fences; hard to fancy on BHA or RPR assessments

Date	Race Conditions	Weight	Jockey	Race Outcome
24/02/11	THU 18HyCh,7K	161 lbs	J L Cullen	8/16 38l, Aura About You[25/1]11-0
29/09/10	SLI 17Y/SftCh,5K	161 lbs	J L Cullen	9/15 36l, Kylebeg Krystle[8/1]11-4 tongue str
23/04/10	PUN 30GdChHc,17K	136 lbs	S W Flanagan	PU/19Palace Merano[33/1]9-10
05/04/10	FAI 20HyCh,16K	151 lbs	J L Cullen	UR/8Shuil Aris[16/1]10-11
17/03/10	CHL 32GdCl2 NvCh,45K	153 lbs	Mr S C Byrne	UR/18Poker De Sivola[100/1]11-6

Show Form

 

1 Non Runners: Glenwood Knight

Gordon Elliott looks to be targeting the National Hunt Chase with Chicago Grey who looks to be an exciting type following some good runs this season. His most impressive performance so far this season was an excellent second place behind Time For Rupert in the DRS Contracts Novices Chase at the Cheltenham International Meeting. That is an excellent piece of form and although he was slightly disappointing last time out when 5th at Leopardstown, if he can run to his best at Cheltenham again in March he could be one to watch in the National Hunt Chase Odds.

Charles Byrnes has confirmed that Alpha Beat looks set to go to Cheltenham with the National Hunt Chase the main target for the Kerry National winner. Indeed, that win at Listowel last September was the last time we saw Alfa Beat and that was the climax of a summer of five consecutive wins. He improved with every run last summer for Byrnes and has to be taken seriously here if he has continued that over the winter and is reported to be in good form at home with the only worry being his inactivity this season.

Tim Vaughan has described Beshabar as his best chance at the Cheltenham Festival this year and as the betting suggests he could be one to watch in the National Hunt Chase. He is a horse that was previously with Paul Nicholls but has joined Vaughan this season with his debut coming at Cheltenham back in November when he was brought down when travelling well. Last time out he won well at Doncaster last month in the 3 miles Beginners Chase and he has now been confirmed for the National Hunt Chase, where he is likely to appreciate the better ground he is likely to get as well as the extra trip.

Willie Mullins has declared Some Target for the National Hunt Chase at the Festival and he is one that has been having a solid season over in Ireland. He had a great win last time out at Puchestown when he won the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at the end of January. It was a win over 3m 4f on soft ground so the trip should be no problem and that was his first win of the season after a couple of solid performances earlier in the campaign. He is fairly inexperienced at this level which is a negative but at the same time he could be a horse on the up which could mean he is a major player here.

Cheltenham Festival - Betting Tips