Formscan - Unbeaten under Rules and in the point-to-point sphere since emerging as a surprise winner of this race last year, Premier Magic is a good place to start with his proven ability to handle the hustle and bustle of the Festival a valuable asset. However, as is the case with several others, the ability to handle truly testing ground at this level is a cause for concern and he might struggle to uphold the form with last year's runner-up Its On The Line, who is more proven on heavy. Even so, it is the lightly-raced FERNS LOCK who shades the vote. He finished half a length behind Its On The Line at Down Royal's Christmas fixture and can turn the form around now he's effectively 7lb better off with Its On The Line when taking into account jockey claims. Billaway rates the pick of the other Irish contenders.

Well Chosen (GB)-Taipans Girl(Taipan)
ts6(34)
cd1
(The Turner Family)
Rated 140
In the last 3 years Billaway (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Shantou Flyer (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Shantou Flyer (IRE) 3rd (50/1 12-0 Rated 135) Miss Olive Nicholls Billaway (IRE) fell (9/2 12-0 Rated 141) Mr P W Mullins (23 ran) | ||
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| Premier Magic (IRE) | 2 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Premier Magic (IRE) 1st (66/1 12-0 Rated 122) Mr B Gibbs Billaway (IRE) fell (9/2 12-0 Rated 141) Mr P W Mullins (23 ran) | ||
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| 18th Mar 2022 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) Billaway (IRE) 1st (13/8Fav 12-0 Rated 140) Mr P W Mullins Premier Magic (IRE) pulled up (25/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr B Gibbs (19 ran) | ||
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| Ramillies (IRE) | 1 | |
| 10th Feb 2024 Naas(3m 174yds, Chase, Heavy) Billaway (IRE) 2nd (13/2 12-0) Mr P W Mullins 86.00L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 3rd (5/1 11-9) Miss M O'Sullivan (7 ran) | ||
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| Ferns Lock (GB) | 2 | |
| 8th Apr 2023 Fairyhouse(3m 1f 40yds, Chase, Yielding, Yielding to Soft in places (Hurdle); Soft, Yielding in places (Chase)) Billaway (IRE) 2nd (3/1 12-0) Mr P W Mullins 5.50L in front of Ferns Lock (GB) 3rd (4/11Fav 12-0) Mr B O'Neill (5 ran) | ||
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| 22nd Jan 2023 Thurles(3m 149yds, Chase, Yielding, yielding to soft in places) Ferns Lock (GB) 1st (1/1Fav 11-11) Mr B O'Neill 20.00L in front of Billaway (IRE) 2nd (6/5 12-0) Mr P W Mullins (6 ran) | ||
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| Its On The Line (IRE) | 3 | |
| 10th Feb 2024 Naas(3m 174yds, Chase, Heavy) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (8/13Fav 12-0) Mr D O'Connor .13L in front of Billaway (IRE) 2nd (13/2 12-0) Mr P W Mullins (7 ran) | ||
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| 28th Apr 2023 Punchestown(3m , Chase, Yielding, good to yielding in places) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (6/1 12-0) Mr D O'Connor Billaway (IRE) unseated rider (7/2 12-0) Mr P W Mullins (11 ran) | ||
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| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (28/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr Derek O'Connor Billaway (IRE) fell (9/2 12-0 Rated 141) Mr P W Mullins (23 ran) | ||
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In the last 3 years Django (FR) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Shantou Flyer (IRE) | 1 | |
| 8th Jan 2024 Taunton(2m 5f 150yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) D'jango (FR) 2nd (66/1 12-1 Rated 100) Miss Immy Robinson 9.50L in front of Shantou Flyer (IRE) 5th (10/3 12-3 Rated 134) Miss Natalie Parker (11 ran) | ||
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| Quintin's Man (GB) | 1 | |
| 17th Feb 2024 Haydock(2m 6f 54yds, Chase, Heavy) Quintin's Man (GB) 3rd (7/2J Fav 11-13 Rated 131) Mr D I J Andrews 17.00L in front of D'jango (FR) 4th (7/2J Fav 11-13 Rated 129) Miss Immy Robinson (8 ran) | ||
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In the last 3 years Ferns Lock (GB) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Billaway (IRE) | 2 | |
| 8th Apr 2023 Fairyhouse(3m 1f 40yds, Chase, Yielding, Yielding to Soft in places (Hurdle); Soft, Yielding in places (Chase)) Billaway (IRE) 2nd (3/1 12-0) Mr P W Mullins 5.50L in front of Ferns Lock (GB) 3rd (4/11Fav 12-0) Mr B O'Neill (5 ran) | ||
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| 22nd Jan 2023 Thurles(3m 149yds, Chase, Yielding, yielding to soft in places) Ferns Lock (GB) 1st (1/1Fav 11-11) Mr B O'Neill 20.00L in front of Billaway (IRE) 2nd (6/5 12-0) Mr P W Mullins (6 ran) | ||
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| Ramillies (IRE) | 1 | |
| 26th Dec 2023 Down Royal(3m , Chase, Soft, Yielding to Soft in places) Ferns Lock (GB) 2nd (11/8Fav 12-0) Mr B O'Neill 10.75L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 4th (12/1 11-7) Mr B Finn (10 ran) | ||
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| Its On The Line (IRE) | 2 | |
| 26th Dec 2023 Down Royal(3m , Chase, Soft, Yielding to Soft in places) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (11/2 11-7) Mr C Mullins .50L in front of Ferns Lock (GB) 2nd (11/8Fav 12-0) Mr B O'Neill (10 ran) | ||
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| 15th Nov 2022 Fairyhouse(2m 7f 160yds, Chase, Soft, Soft to Heavy in places (Hurdle); Soft to Heavy (Chase)) Ferns Lock (GB) 1st (9/4 11-4) Mr B O'Neill 12.00L in front of Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (2/1Fav 11-9) Miss M O'Sullivan (6 ran) | ||
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Jeremy (USA)-Zephyr Lilly(Alhaarth)
cp9(357)
(Mrs Sarah Spottiswoode)
Rated 107

Presenting (GB)-Ten Dollar Bill(Accordion)
cp4(34)
(John P McManus)
Rated 142
In the last 3 years Its On The Line (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Shantou Flyer (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (28/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr Derek O'Connor 1.25L in front of Shantou Flyer (IRE) 3rd (50/1 12-0 Rated 135) Miss Olive Nicholls (23 ran) | ||
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| Premier Magic (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Premier Magic (IRE) 1st (66/1 12-0 Rated 122) Mr B Gibbs 1.75L in front of Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (28/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr Derek O'Connor (23 ran) | ||
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| Billaway (IRE) | 3 | |
| 10th Feb 2024 Naas(3m 174yds, Chase, Heavy) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (8/13Fav 12-0) Mr D O'Connor .13L in front of Billaway (IRE) 2nd (13/2 12-0) Mr P W Mullins (7 ran) | ||
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| 28th Apr 2023 Punchestown(3m , Chase, Yielding, good to yielding in places) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (6/1 12-0) Mr D O'Connor Billaway (IRE) unseated rider (7/2 12-0) Mr P W Mullins (11 ran) | ||
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| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (28/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr Derek O'Connor Billaway (IRE) fell (9/2 12-0 Rated 141) Mr P W Mullins (23 ran) | ||
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| Time Leader (IRE) | 1 | |
| 13th Apr 2023 Aintree(2m 5f 19yds, Chase, Good to Soft) Time Leader (IRE) 5th (80/1 12-0 Rated 114) Toby McCain-Mitchell Its On The Line (IRE) fell (8/1 12-0 Rated 136) Mr Derek O'Connor (27 ran) | ||
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| Ramillies (IRE) | 2 | |
| 10th Feb 2024 Naas(3m 174yds, Chase, Heavy) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (8/13Fav 12-0) Mr D O'Connor 86.13L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 3rd (5/1 11-9) Miss M O'Sullivan (7 ran) | ||
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| 26th Dec 2023 Down Royal(3m , Chase, Soft, Yielding to Soft in places) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (11/2 11-7) Mr C Mullins 11.25L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 4th (12/1 11-7) Mr B Finn (10 ran) | ||
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| Ferns Lock (GB) | 2 | |
| 26th Dec 2023 Down Royal(3m , Chase, Soft, Yielding to Soft in places) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (11/2 11-7) Mr C Mullins .50L in front of Ferns Lock (GB) 2nd (11/8Fav 12-0) Mr B O'Neill (10 ran) | ||
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| 15th Nov 2022 Fairyhouse(2m 7f 160yds, Chase, Soft, Soft to Heavy in places (Hurdle); Soft to Heavy (Chase)) Ferns Lock (GB) 1st (9/4 11-4) Mr B O'Neill 12.00L in front of Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (2/1Fav 11-9) Miss M O'Sullivan (6 ran) | ||
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Court Cave (IRE)-Burn(Selkirk)
ts6cp3(315)
cd2
(Mr Julian Sherriff)
Rated 142
In the last 3 years Premier Magic (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Shantou Flyer (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Premier Magic (IRE) 1st (66/1 12-0 Rated 122) Mr B Gibbs 3.00L in front of Shantou Flyer (IRE) 3rd (50/1 12-0 Rated 135) Miss Olive Nicholls (23 ran) | ||
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| Billaway (IRE) | 2 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Premier Magic (IRE) 1st (66/1 12-0 Rated 122) Mr B Gibbs Billaway (IRE) fell (9/2 12-0 Rated 141) Mr P W Mullins (23 ran) | ||
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| 18th Mar 2022 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) Billaway (IRE) 1st (13/8Fav 12-0 Rated 140) Mr P W Mullins Premier Magic (IRE) pulled up (25/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr B Gibbs (19 ran) | ||
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| Its On The Line (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Premier Magic (IRE) 1st (66/1 12-0 Rated 122) Mr B Gibbs 1.75L in front of Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (28/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr Derek O'Connor (23 ran) | ||
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Schiaparelli (GER)-Roll On Rose(Anshan)
(27)
cd1
(The High Rollers)
Rated 131
In the last 3 years Quintins Man (GB) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| D'jango (FR) | 1 | |
| 17th Feb 2024 Haydock(2m 6f 54yds, Chase, Heavy) Quintin's Man (GB) 3rd (7/2J Fav 11-13 Rated 131) Mr D I J Andrews 17.00L in front of D'jango (FR) 4th (7/2J Fav 11-13 Rated 129) Miss Immy Robinson (8 ran) | ||
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| Sine Nomine (GB) | 1 | |
| 2nd Jun 2023 Stratford(3m 3f 119yds, Chase, Good (Good to Firm in places)) Sine Nomine (GB) 1st (1/1Fav 11-7 Rated 107) Mr J Dawson 20.25L in front of Quintin's Man (GB) 5th (7/4 12-0 Rated 120) Mr D I J Andrews (6 ran) | ||
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Shantou (USA)-Mrs Wallensky(Roselier)
(6)
(Ramillies & Christie Family Syndicate)
Rated 140
In the last 3 years Ramillies (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Billaway (IRE) | 1 | |
| 10th Feb 2024 Naas(3m 174yds, Chase, Heavy) Billaway (IRE) 2nd (13/2 12-0) Mr P W Mullins 86.00L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 3rd (5/1 11-9) Miss M O'Sullivan (7 ran) | ||
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| Ferns Lock (GB) | 1 | |
| 26th Dec 2023 Down Royal(3m , Chase, Soft, Yielding to Soft in places) Ferns Lock (GB) 2nd (11/8Fav 12-0) Mr B O'Neill 10.75L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 4th (12/1 11-7) Mr B Finn (10 ran) | ||
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| Its On The Line (IRE) | 2 | |
| 10th Feb 2024 Naas(3m 174yds, Chase, Heavy) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (8/13Fav 12-0) Mr D O'Connor 86.13L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 3rd (5/1 11-9) Miss M O'Sullivan (7 ran) | ||
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| 26th Dec 2023 Down Royal(3m , Chase, Soft, Yielding to Soft in places) Its On The Line (IRE) 1st (11/2 11-7) Mr C Mullins 11.25L in front of Ramillies (IRE) 4th (12/1 11-7) Mr B Finn (10 ran) | ||
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Germany (USA)-Dun Dun(Saddlers' Hall)
ts+(40)
c2
(Gigginstown House Stud)
Rated 142

Shantou (USA)-Carrigmorna Flyer(Bob Back)
ts+bl+(67)
c2
d2
(Mr Paul Nicholls)
Rated 133
In the last 3 years Shantou Flyer (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Premier Magic (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Premier Magic (IRE) 1st (66/1 12-0 Rated 122) Mr B Gibbs 3.00L in front of Shantou Flyer (IRE) 3rd (50/1 12-0 Rated 135) Miss Olive Nicholls (23 ran) | ||
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| D'jango (FR) | 1 | |
| 8th Jan 2024 Taunton(2m 5f 150yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) D'jango (FR) 2nd (66/1 12-1 Rated 100) Miss Immy Robinson 9.50L in front of Shantou Flyer (IRE) 5th (10/3 12-3 Rated 134) Miss Natalie Parker (11 ran) | ||
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| Billaway (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Shantou Flyer (IRE) 3rd (50/1 12-0 Rated 135) Miss Olive Nicholls Billaway (IRE) fell (9/2 12-0 Rated 141) Mr P W Mullins (23 ran) | ||
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| Its On The Line (IRE) | 1 | |
| 17th Mar 2023 Cheltenham(3m 2f 70yds, Chase, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Its On The Line (IRE) 2nd (28/1 12-0 Rated 126) Mr Derek O'Connor 1.25L in front of Shantou Flyer (IRE) 3rd (50/1 12-0 Rated 135) Miss Olive Nicholls (23 ran) | ||
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Scorpion (IRE)-Dancing Matilda(Val Royal)
(46)
(G&S Capper, M Loran, L Doyle)
Rated 128
In the last 3 years Time Leader (IRE) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Its On The Line (IRE) | 1 | |
| 13th Apr 2023 Aintree(2m 5f 19yds, Chase, Good to Soft) Time Leader (IRE) 5th (80/1 12-0 Rated 114) Toby McCain-Mitchell Its On The Line (IRE) fell (8/1 12-0 Rated 136) Mr Derek O'Connor (27 ran) | ||
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In the last 3 years Sine Nomine (GB) has met
| Horse | No. Of times | |
| Quintin's Man (GB) | 1 | |
| 2nd Jun 2023 Stratford(3m 3f 119yds, Chase, Good (Good to Firm in places)) Sine Nomine (GB) 1st (1/1Fav 11-7 Rated 107) Mr J Dawson 20.25L in front of Quintin's Man (GB) 5th (7/4 12-0 Rated 120) Mr D I J Andrews (6 ran) | ||
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Symbols Explained
ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie cd2 Course and Distance Winner c2 Course Winner d2 Distance Winner bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run
The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.

Cheltenham Tips




