TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase Tips

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‘If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em…’ or words to that effect, have probably been ringing in the ears of trainer Richard Bandey, ever since his Theatre Man only found the extremely likeable Ginny’s Destiny, (who is also the Turners Novices’ Chase ante-post selection for these pages,) just too good at Cheltenham’s Trials Day meeting.

Jockey Harry Cobden is worth his weight in gold in most races, but when it comes to riding effective races on the New Course at Cheltenham, I don’t think there are any equals to Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey.

So, with Nicholls employing Freddie Gingell to claim off Il Ridoto, it leaves the way clear for Harry Cobden to pick up outside rides, and whether it was his agent, trainer Bandey or the owners, what is clear is that the speed with which the champion jockey-elect has been snapped up is notable.

As is predictable, given the form lines for Theatre Man and the booking of Cobden, Theatre Man’s price has been in freefall over the last few days, but there is some 6/1 each-way available with Ladbrokes or Coral currently, and I think that is more than respectable enough to lock in now.

It might be that a similar price is available nearer the off for more places, but I wouldn’t bet on it, as such is the extremely solid case to be made for Theatre Man, that he could find himself one of the gambles of the Festival.

Crebilly had been the pre-confirmations favourite, and he has the look of a horse going he right way for sure, but his usual run-style lends itself to relying a little on fortune and sound jumping under pressure, both of which aren’t guaranteed in my opinion.

An alternative option could easily be Shakem Up’Arry, who was a game winner at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, and if 16/1 or so is available for extra places, and the ground is suitable come the day, then he may be an additional bet in the race.

But for now, in the immediate post-Cobden announcement rush, making sure you’ve got some 6/1 each-way with Ladbrokes or Coral about Theatre Man in the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase makes a lot of sense to me.

Day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival is on a par with the anticipation for the ante-post bets on Day 1 for these pages, with the likes of Ginnys Destiny in the Turners, Gaoth Chuil in the Pertemps and Theatre Man in the Plate all providing us with hopefully some live chances.

Having scoured the whole of the Day 3 card following declarations, I am happy to let Ginnys Destiny and Gaoth Chuil run alone in their respective races, the Ryanair and Stayers Hurdle look too hard to unpick, while the Mares Novice Hurdle and the Kim Muir really do look at the mercy of the market leader(s). So, it is the Trustatrader Plate Handicap Chase that gets another string to it’s betting bow for these pages.

Looking at the markets across the board for tomorrow, it is the stables of Mullins, Skelton and De Bromhead whose runners are being supported. hardly surprising given the excellent two days those yards have had.

However, it is a similarly in-form stable’s representative that I am adding to the Theatre Man bet, in the shape of the 10/1 each-way generally for 5 places about Shakem Up’Arry, who could continue Ben Pauling’s outstanding season and more relevantly, his excellent recent form.

Course and distance from throughout the course of the season in various different races, over the 2m4½f trip on the chase track of the New Course, seems to play such a pivotal part in the outcome of this race year on year.

So, with Theatre Man safely in the locker following his eye-catching runner-up finish to Ginnys Destiny on Trials Day, taking the 10/1 each-way about Shakem Up’Arry to follow up his resounding New Year’s Day win here looks a value option too.

Sometimes in the past, Shakem Up’Arry has been called a few names, but as can be the case with many ‘bridle’ horses, there can be reasons why finding at the end of races might have become too painful, too tiring, too arduous. Often, these may be physical issues that we can’t see, but in Shakem Up’Arry’s case, it is clear that the breathing operation he had before this season has worked the oracle.

His three runs this season have been sharply progressive, and granted the same chunk of improvement, he could easily trouble the likes of Theatre Man in the closing stages, in a fashion more so than perhaps we had been accustomed previously.

The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase that takes place on day 3 of the Cheltenham Festival.

The race is run over a distance of 2 miles 4 furlongs and 127 yards (4,124 metres) and features 17 fences. It is open to horses aged five years or older and is contested by some of the top chasers in the sport.

The race was first run in 1951 and was initially called the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase, named after a former Chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse. It was renamed in honour of jockey Freddie Williams in 1974. Williams was a successful jockey and trainer who won many races over fences and hurdles, including the Grand National in 1956. It has since undergone several name changes due to sponsorship agreements.

Over the years, the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase has been won by some of the most talented and famous horses in the sport and recent winners of the race include The Shunter in 2021 and Coole Cody in 2022.