Kim Muir Handicap Chase Preview- Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 12/03/2020

Kim Muir Handicap Chase Preview- Cheltenham Festival

March 12, 2020 17:30pm - Cheltenham

Distance: 3m 2f

Grade: (Class 2) (5yo+)

Runners: 23

Winner: £41,510

Going: Soft

The final race of Day Three is the Kim Muir Challenge Cup, a long-distance handicap chase restricted to amateur jockeys.

Punters might have a tough time identifying potential winners here and with good reason. This is set to be a highly competitive race with plenty of runners able to stake a claim. Plan of Attack is one of many strong Irish contenders here. He has a good record over fences including a 3m 1f win at Aintree back in October. He followed that up with a reputable third in a tough Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in a field of 17 runners off a starting price of 16/1. That performance alone should be enough to put him on the shortlist here and there is a feeling he has plenty more to come. Fitzhenry was second that day but there was not much to separate them and both are likely to be in contention here.

Champagne Platinum has been well backed but his record only gives us a small sample size. He was a promising hurdler who has also over-performed over fences. He pleased each-way punters when coming home third in a Grade One Novices` Chase at Sandown from a price of 40/1. Ge is expected to go well on his handicap debut.

Mares Novices Hurdle Winners - past four years:

2014: Spring Heeled (7) - Robbie McNamara (Jim Culloty)

2015: The Package (12) - Jamie Codd (David Pipe)

2016: Cause of Causes (8) - Jamie Codd (Gordon Elliott)

2017: Domesday Book (7) - Gina Andrews (Stuart Edmunds)

2018: Missed Approach (8) - Noel McParlan (Warren Greatrex)

2019: Any Second Now (7) - Derek OConnor (T M Walsh)

Latest Betting odds:

Champagne Platinum (5/1), Le Breuil (5/1), Fitzhenry (8/1), Kilfilum Cross (8/1), Plan Of Attack (8/1), Deise Aba (8/1), Milan Native (12/1), Cloth Cap (14/1), Bob Mahler (16/1), Just A Sting (25/1), Militarian (25/1), Ardlethen (25/1), Fingerontheswitch (33/1), Coup De Pinceau (40/1), One Style (40/1), The Kings Writ (40/1), Go Another One (40/1), Thomas Patrick (50/1), The Young Master (50/1), Cabaret Queen (50/1), Like The Sound (66/1), Flying Angel (66/1), Le Musee (150/1)

By Neil Morris

Published on: 12/03/2020

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (12/03/2020 13:04:32) but are subject to change.