Byrne Group Plate Handicap Steeple Chase

A handicap chase over 2m 41/2 furlongs. Formerly known as the Festival Plate.

Byrne Group Plate Handicap Steeple Chase Trends

All out of the last ten winners had won at Class Three or higher

Nine out of the last ten winners had won between 2m3f and 2m5f

Nine out of the last ten winners had run within the last forty days

Nine out of the last ten winners recorded a top five finish in their most recent race

Eight out of the last ten winners carried 11st or less

Eight out of the last ten winners had an official rating no higher than 141

Eight out of the last ten winners had run at a previous Cheltenham Festival

Byrne Group Plate Handicap Steeple Chase Analysis

Yet again we see stats that throw up the need for carrying a weight in a Festival handicap of under 11st and prior experience of running at the Cheltenham Festival.

Horses that have run well at the Festival (or who have experienced the phenomenon before) will be better equipped to run well there again and it doesn't necessarily need to be in an equivalent race as winners of this race have previously run in the County Hurdle!

Byrne Group Plate Handicap Steeple Chase Tips

Three training yards have dominated this race in the last ten years with three wins for Martin Pipe, two for Nicky Henderson and now two for Venetia Williams.

It makes sense to assume that a race where a trainer has had previous success will be targeted again in the future so make note of any entries from these three powerful yards.

With a 66/1, 33/1 and two 25/1 winners in the last ten years in the Festival Plate it would seem that taking a speculative approach is the best policy to this race!

Horses such as Coper Bleu, Song Of Songs and Sunnyhillboy fit the trends we have listed above but all of these horses have alternative entries at the Festival so are not certain runners in the Festival Plate.
In those circumstances it may be best to plump for a horse that looks certain to run here - Tarotino.
A winner of three good races at the end of last season he hasn't had the decent ground he needs to show his best form so far in 09/10 but if it is good ground at the Festival then he would look worth an investment in a tricky race.

Back Tarotino each-way at the best odds by clicking on the bookmaker logo by its name below

Byrne Group Plate Odds

 

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