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12:50 Cheltenham

Ian Williams' Owners Novices' Chase (Class B)

  • 4 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 5f
  • Going: Good
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 5m 26.40s
  • 4 Ran
Go to Full Result
1
Silk -

Therealbandit (IRE)

4/9

    1
    Silk - ROYAL BLUE, EMERALD GREEN sleeves, WHITE cap, EMERALD GREEN spots

    Therealbandit (IRE)

    20
    4/9
    • Form 211111
    • Age 7
    • Weight 11-9

    Jumped well, tracked leader from 4th, led 8th, in command before 2 out, drew well clear from last easily

    2
    Silk - Royal Blue, Yellow disc, White sleeves and cap

    Message Recu (FR)

    45
    66/1
    • Form 61540-1
    • Age 8
    • Weight 11-6

    in rear, outpaced 10th, mistake and lost touch next, left poor 3rd at 13th, tailed off when blundered next

    3
    Silk - Yellow and Purple hoops, Yellow sleeves, Purple armlets, hooped cap

    Golden Flight (FR)

    39
    10/3
    • Form 523-111
    • Age 5
    • Weight 10-13

    chased leaders to 4th, stayed close up until outpaced from 10th, 3rd and out of touch when unseated rider 13th

    4
    Silk - Yellow and Emerald Green hoops, hooped sleeves, Yellow cap

    Massac (FR)

    32
    7/1
    • Form 6-212
    • Age 5
    • Weight 10-13

    led, mistake and headed 8th, chased winner after, ridden 4 out, tried to close from 2 out, soon no impression and beaten.

    In depth

    Verdict

    Just the four runners are set to line up here and, while Guillaume Macaire's pair, Golden Flight and Massac, have to be respected this should go to Martin Pipe's Therealbandit, who looked out of the top drawer when winning here last month. The selection was a progressive performer over hurdles last season and looks to be even better over fences if judged by his reappearance success after which he was installed favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival meeting. Guillaume Macaire's runners here always warrant respect and there is little to chose between his two runners on the form they have shown in France, although jockey bookings suggest that Massac may be the slightly favoured of the pair. Message Recu, a French-bred gelding formerly trained in Ireland, made a winning start over fences for Simon Lewis but faces a stiff task here in receipt of just 3lbs from Therealbandit, who should take plenty of beating.