Madara Set to Challenge in Cheltenham’s Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase
Dan Skelton’s Madara has emerged as a strong contender for the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, according to Timeform ratings. The seven-year-old gelding is considered well-handicapped, with Timeform assessing him six pounds ahead of his official British Horseracing Authority (BHA) mark of 140.
Timeform Ratings Highlight Madara’s Potential
Timeform’s analysis indicates Madara’s current rating of 146 positions him favorably for the Tuesday race. This assessment is based on a comparison of the Timeform rating to the BHA rating, a key consideration in handicap races. While Rebecca Curtis’s Ben Solo is even better-handicapped according to Timeform (rating of 134, seven pounds ahead of his BHA mark of 127), he is unlikely to secure a run in the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase on Thursday due to his position on the entry list.
Recent Form and Trainer’s Strategy
Madara, owned by Bryan Drew, has demonstrated promising form, particularly with a strong second-place finish in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham last season. His recent outing at Kempton, where he finished second, is expected to have honed his fitness for the Cheltenham Festival. Dan Skelton is known as a skilled “target trainer,” strategically preparing horses for specific races, further bolstering Madara’s chances.
Tony McFadden, deputy racing editor at Timeform and Sporting Life, commented on Madara’s prospects, stating, “Madara has been well backed for the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase since finishing an eye-catching second at Kempton last month, and it’s easy to spot why.” McFadden also highlighted Madara’s good form at Cheltenham and the favorable view taken by Timeform’s handicapper.
Other Horses to Watch
Timeform also identified Cocktail Divine (Timeform rating 155p, BHA rating 150) as a potentially well-handicapped contender, entered in both the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase. The ratings suggest Cocktail Divine has been given a lenient mark following a wide-margin win at Leopardstown.
Ben Solo, while unlikely to run in the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase, is also considered to be ahead of his current BHA mark, according to Timeform.