2024 Plate Handicap Chase Tips - Key trends and tips for this Cheltenham handicap

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 07 Mar 2024

Jon Vine 07 Mar 2024

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Free guide to the 2024 Plate Handicap Chase
This handicap takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 14th March
Il Ridoto and Theatre Man feature in our verdict

Expired

Harry Cobden riding Il Ridoto (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. (Getty)

The second of three handicaps to be staged on St Patrick's Day at Cheltenham is the Plate Handicap Chase. This two-and-a-half-mile chase always provides plenty of entertainment and we've already got a short-priced favourite for this year's renewal.

Here's our free guide to the 2024 Plate Handicap Chase, which includes some key ten-year trends and our best betting tips in the verdict.

2024 Plate Handicap Chase Key Ten-Year Trends

10 of the last 10 winners were rated in the 140s
10 of the last 10 winners had won between 19f and 21f
10 of the last 10 winners weighed between 10-8 and 11-4
9 of the last 10 winners had won during that season

2024 Plate Handicap Chase Tips

The Plate is one of the handicaps at Cheltenham that I'm usually keen to get stuck into. This year, however, there are very few entrants who pique my interest.

Crebilly has been backed off the boards in recent days, but Jonjo O'Neill's seven-year-old won a tactical race at Exeter last time out and I don't think he jumps well enough to warrant such a short price. Theatre Man is a little skinny in the betting too, but his run behind Ginny's Destiny on Trials Day looks like very strong form and he could be well ahead of the handicapper.

If Ashtree Meadow, Classic Getaway and Ga Law head to the Ryanair, then Letsbeclearaboutit will be left carrying top weight. Gavin Cromwell's novice has enough class to deal with such a burden, but history would be against Letsbeclearaboutit, as only one horse has carried more than 11-7 to victory in the Plate in the last 60 years.

Firm Footings is short in the betting for a horse who's yet to prove his stamina. Gordon Elliott's six-year-old could be well-handicapped, though. As could stablemate Saint Felicien, who has progressed nicely over fences this term and won't mind the extra cut in the ground - regardless of what Gordon Elliott said following the 2022 Coral Cup.

Seddon ran out a hugely impressive winner on day three of the Cheltenham Festival 12 months ago and returns rated just six pounds higher in the handicap. Shakem Up'Arry placed third behind Seddon 12 months ago and claimed a deserved win around Cheltenham when last seen on New Year's Day. Both are getting on a bit now, but we've seen ten and 11-year-olds win this race in recent seasons, so neither can be ruled out.

Course form is always valuable in handicaps at Cheltenham and Prestbury Park regular, Il Ridoto has been a little forgotten in the market. Paul Nicholls' star was only beaten a short-head by Ryanair-bound Fugitif here in December and will carry three pounds less on his back than when sixth in this contest last year.

Adamantly Chosen and James Du Berlais are possibles for Willie Mullins, who's still yet to win a handicap chase at the Festival. Shan Blue has returned to form in recent starts. Flanking Maneuver remains completely unexposed in handicap company. Triple Trade and Straw Fan Jack are previous course winners at Cheltenham and both are worth looking at, despite their position in the market.

Verdict

Plate Handicap Chase 2024

I do like Theatre Man for this race, but I'm not crazy about his current price. There's a chance that Richard Bandey's eight-year-old could drift once the Irish horses are confirmed, so I won't be backing Theatre Man at this stage.

The only horse I fancy backing at the moment is Il Ridoto, who will undoubtedly be ridden by Harry Cobden. Paul Nicholls tried going right-handed over three miles last time out and Il Ridoto hated it. Over this trip around Cheltenham, Nicholls seven-year-old boasts form figures of 4416323 and I see no reason why Cobden's mount can't mount a challenge again.

Saint Felicien, Shakem Up'Arry and Shan Blue also make it onto my shortlist, but I won't be placing another bet until the field is confirmed.

Il Ridoto E/W

2024 Plate Handicap Chase Tip 1

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