1.55 2m. 4f. 127yds. 16 Declared. Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £100,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €56,950.00 2nd - €21,370.00 3rd - €10,700.00 4th - €5,330.00 5th - €2,680.00 6th - €1,340.00
Formscan - Midnight River and Il Ridoto offer strong appeal judged on their proximity to each other when they finished third and fourth in the Paddy Power in November. The former ran on well up the hill that day and is taken to confirm superiority over the Paul Nicholls inmate. However, WAR LORD edges the vote given he is unexposed at this trip and posted a creditable effort on his only previous visit to Cheltenham - a respectable fourth in last season's Arkle. Brave Seasca fell in that race but is respected after a 2m4f success at Aintree last month.