Racecards
16:55 Carlisle
Cheltenham Preview Here Today Open Hunters' Chase (Class 5)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 198y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Winner: £2,496
- 2nd: £774
- 3rd: £387
- 4th: £194
- Form P/85-U21
- Age 11
- Weight 12-2
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer Francesca Nimmo
- Jockey Mr J Jackson-Stops
tended to jump left, edged left and hit 5th, soon clear, reduced lead 10th, clear again after 14th, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
- Form PPP42P
- Age 11
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer V Thompson
- Jockey Miss C Walton
raced in 3rd behind (clear) winner, lost 3rd at 8th, soon outpaced in rear, tailed off
- Form 222-P33
- Age 13
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey Mr Kit Alexander
chased (clear) winner, closed 10th, lost 2nd next, chased leading pair, outpaced 14th, struggling and no chance after, mistake 2 out
- Form 72U1-21
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer A J Brown
- Jockey Amie Waugh
held up off the pace in 4th, went 3rd 8th, disputing 2nd after, closed 10th, outright 2nd at 11th, ridden and no chance with winner from 14th
- Form PUFP74
- Age 9
- Weight 12-2
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer V Thompson
- Jockey Henry Morshead
NonRunner
In depth
Verdict
Loch Ba’s wide-margin victory at Wincanton was unsatisfactory for many reasons and it remains to be seen if he retains all of his former ability. WICKLOW LAD made a very satisfactory return to action when beaten just over a length at Kelso against race-fit rivals. The first three pulled well clear in the closing stages and the veteran can open his seasonal account today. Wind Of Hope has won three point-to-points and has been very lightly raced
Formwatch
Loch Ba (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, led before 5th, went left 9th, soon veered left, clear from 4 out, stayed on well to extend lead from next, won at Wincanton 2m 4f (6) sft in Mar beating Apple's Queen (12-0) by dist, 4 ran.
Senor Alco (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Strugg 15; t.o & pu 4 out, at Corbridge 3m 5f gs in Feb.
Wicklow Lad 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Premier Portrait (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (5) hvy in Feb.
Wind Of Hope (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Led aft 16; held on wl flat, won at Corbridge 3m 5f gs in Feb beating Clonea Power (10-9) by 1l, 5 ran.
Oscar Lateen (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Behind, mistake and reminders 12th, lost touch 5 out, plugged on to take modest 4th flat, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind Ballythomas (10-13) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.