Timeform Daily: Friday, Cheltenham 13:55

Friday's Timeform Daily comes from Cheltenham

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to a Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham on Friday...

Midnight Chase is a front runner who has 5 victories to his name at this track, including this race in 2010. Creditable third in Charlie Hall on return, and not one to take lightly despite impost of top weight.

Planet of Sound landed the 2010 Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown, and placed in Hennessy on return last season. Well held in Charlie Hall last month, though, and needs to put that disappointment behind him.

Quartz de Thaix is a smart jumper who had season to forget last term, but made an impressive return at Bangor last month, and better than ever when following up at Haydock (3m) 10 days later. Not easily ignored.

Saint Are was successful for second year in a row at Grand National meeting when landing 25f listed handicap chase. Fell in Hennessy Gold Cup last time, and slipshod jumping is a concern at this track.

Becauseicouldntsee is a giant gelding who stays well and ran a cracker when second to Sunnyhillboy in Kim Muir here in March. Shaped well over hurdles at Thurles last time, and that should have brought him to a peak.

Bradley is a reliable stayer who has returned as good as ever this term, sticking to task when excellent neck second to Monbeg Dude over 27f here last time, but slight drop in trip a concern now.

Master Overseer is a thorough stayer who bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts to land the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March. Similar scenario needed again, following low-key reappearance.

Billie Magern made a winning return over 2m here in 2011, but increasingly moody these days, and typically indolent when well held on reappearance here in October. Bit to prove now.

Crash was going right way over fences, winning maiden in December and good efforts next two outings. Subsequent displays strewn with jumping errors, though, and tongue tied on this occasion.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Midnight Chase
2. Bradley
3. Quartz de Thaix

Timeform View: 2010 winner Midnight Chase is taken to stage a repeat following his satisfactory return at Wetherby last month. Bradley and the improving Quartz de Thaix are likely to prove the most troublesome.

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