2m4½f (New) Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
After L’Homme Presse’s impressive success in the Brown Advisory Chase on Wednesday, The Glancing Queen will be very popular for the Plate.
Similarly, Imperial Alcazar, who was sent off favourite for the Pertemps last year before finishing down-the-field, has also looked an impressive newcomer to fences. He was raised 8lbs for his previous success over course and distance, but could be vulnerable to a better-handicapped horse.
Philip Hobbs acquired CELEBRE D’ALLEN earlier this season from France and is a relatively lightly-raced horse for his age of 10. He ran off a lowly mark of 120 over hurdles at Haydock after >700 days off-the-track to win comfortably and followed it up over the same course and trip with another easy win. A switch to fences could not stop his progress at Warwick on ground that would have been too quick for him.
He still won with ease and has only been raised 6lbs for that success against a competitive field. Celebre D’Allen will relish these conditions and a mark of 141 could still mean that the handicapper has failed to get a handle on him yet. I would take him against the other market principles who may have less to hide on ratings.
1.5pts win Celebre D’Allen @5/1, 16:10 Cheltenham, Thursday