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Jeriko Du Reponet has emerged from the ruck to become clear favourite for the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, which closes out day three of the Cheltenham Festival.
Trained by Nicky Henderson for JP McManus, Jeriko Du Reponet was a general 16-1 for the amateur riders’ handicap at the close of business on Monday, but by mid-afternoon on Tuesday the seven-year-old was no bigger than 7-1 with bet365, while Paddy Power and Sky Bet were among the firms to go 5-1.
On Tuesday the BHA handicappers dropped Jeriko Du Reponet’s chase mark 3lb to 145, which is the top of the ratings band for the Kim Muir, and a move which punters appear to have interpreted as a sign the race will be his festival target.
Henderson abandoned his attempt to go straight from novice hurdling to novice chasing with Jeriko Du Reponet after just one start, and was able to reap the reward when he finished second to stablemate Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, before following up in a valuable 3m handicap hurdle at Punchestown.
Nicky Henderson: fine record in handicap chases at the festivalCredit: Getty Images
In three starts back over fences this season Jeriko Du Reponet has certainly shown promise, although his jumping has at times not looked the most natural, and he finished fifth of six behind Salver around the switchback of Windsor in the rearranged Hampton Novices’ Chase this month.
After being dropped 1lb from an opening mark of 149 following his return to fences at Kempton, he was left on 148 following a better effort behind Regent’s Stroll in a two-horse race at Wincanton.
McManus has won the Kim Muir on four occasions, beginning with Sunnyhill Boy in 2012 and most recently thanks to future Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin two years ago.
Henderson has won the Kim Muir three times in his career, although his last success was back in 2005 courtesy of Juveigneur, since when he has saddled 21 horses in the race.
Overall, handicap chases have accounted for 12 of Henderson’s 75 winners at the festival, with Beware The Bear’s triumph in the 2019 Ultima the most recent.
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