Ante-post tip for the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at Cheltenham

Even watching the replay for the umpteenth time, it is still remarkable how Booster Bob won the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury last season having been tailed off for most of the contest. 

Given the amount of ground he conceded there, that effort is worth upgrading, and the form looks strong, with runner-up Vincenzo finishing second in two valuable handicaps at Cheltenham this season off higher marks, and the third, Saint Segal, has won three times since. There were other useful performers in behind, too, including 2024 Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid. 

A 6lb rise for that victory therefore appeared lenient, and Olly Murphy’s charge made light work of a rating of 132 when scoring on his seasonal return at Newbury in November over an extended 2m6f in what looked another useful contest on paper. Interestingly, the hood he’d worn on his previous three outings was left off, and he travelled with more enthusiasm. 

The RaceiQ data shows he also impressed with his jumping having recorded a Jump Index score of 8.1, plus gained over 15 lengths via some impressive leaps. It’s also worth noting his performance compared favourably on the clock to the other chases on the card, which featured the Coral Gold Cup. 

That was a career-best effort from Booster Bob, and while he also won first time out for the past two seasons, he is still entitled to improve for that effort, especially as he raced a shade keenly. 

I get the impression this seven-year-old has been a work in progress, and Murphy said after his Newbury win in March that it was time for the hood to be removed. Murphy also admitted he had probably been running him over the wrong trip (two miles) and he will stay three miles eventually. 

The New Course at Cheltenham places a significant emphasis on stamina, which will play to his strengths, and I don’t think the slight drop back in trip here will be a hinderance. He's not ground dependant, but any give underfoot should help his cause, and there is no obvious reason why he won't handle Cheltenham.

A further 7lb rise for his latest victory does, of course, demand more. However, with just six chase starts under his belt, a rating of 139 is unlikely to be the ceiling of his ability, and Murphy confirmed this race (his only entry) is the plan for Booster Bob when I asked him this morning. 

Despite a slight drop in his strike-rate this month (at the time of writing), Murphy's team continue to perform well, and Sean Bowen, fresh from December Gold Cup glory at the weekend, is set to be aboard. 

With just a 19-day turnaround, I doubt many of those who contested the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup at Cheltenham will line-up here, and the majority of the Irish raiders are entered in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27, so the general 6-1 available for Booster Bob is worth taking now. 

Advised ante-post bet: BOOSTER BOB at a general 6-1 to win the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.