Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Cheltenham Shloer Chase (Grade 2, 2m, 4yo+) horse racing event.
Last year's winner of this race, Jonbon, appears to be the most favourable choice once again. The eight-year-old gelding has never finished lower than second in his career. This is his season debut, following a previous season marked by victories at Aintree and the final meeting at Sandown. "All being well, Jonbon will run," said Henderson, and at 1.40 with bet365, we still want backing the favourite.
For Edwardstone, this is also the first race after the summer break. In his last start of the previous season, he finished third behind Jonbon in the Celebration Chase, falling short of favourite El Fabiolo by only a short head. Last season, he claimed victory in the Spirit Chase at Newbury after two main rivals were eliminated, leaving him to beat outsider Funambule Sivola by 40 lengths.
Boothill was fourth in the aforementioned Celebration Chase in his last start. Prior to that, he experienced two falls, but had secured two big handicap wins at Ascot. He performs well, but for his first start this season, one would hope for more consistency.
Master Chewy has already kicked off his season. Despite being the favourite, he finished fourth on November 2 at Ascot, losing two places in the final furlong. Last season, he clinched a handicap and the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2) and was close to winning the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree. However, the competition now seems tough for him.
Matata, like Master Chewy, hails from the Nigel Twiston-Davies stable. In his season debut, he was a neck behind Calico, and in the final start of last season, he finished last in the Maghull Novices' Chase. Last season, he won his first start and finished second twice, but in two subsequent Grade 1 outings, his luck ran out.
German-bred Calico, as previously mentioned, won on October 25 at Cheltenham, beating favourite Matata. As for last season, while he didn't secure any victories, he did collect a couple of second-place finishes. In his last start of the season on May 6 at Kempton, he was pulled up before the last hurdle.
