Racecards
15:40 Cheltenham
E.b.f /boylesports.com 'nh' Novices' Hurdle (qualifier) (Class 2)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £15,000 added
- Form 1133-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, headway 3rd, soon tracking leaders, driven and every chance when mistake last, no extra
- Form 8-23411
- Age 4
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey G Lee
led early, remained prominent, ridden and weakened before 2 out
- Form 22-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey P J Brennan
always prominent, led after 2 out, strongly challenged approaching last, stayed on well
- Form 4U2-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
pulled hard and soon led, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
Battlecry
26- Form 13
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Mr D England
in touch, headway 2 out, 3rd when fell last
- Form 4185/40
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey S Thomas
held up, never dangerous
- Form 33-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
mid-division, weakened 3 out
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
- Form 2-23
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up, headway 3 out, soon no impression
- Form 4-20
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D P Keane
- Jockey N Mulholland
pulled hard in touch, weakened before 4th
- Form 42-2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up, struggling halfway, some headway 2 out, never on terms
Viper
222- Form 5-6
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R Hollinshead
- Jockey S Durack
in touch, weakened 4th
- Form 15/39-P7
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, left in remote 3rd at last
In depth
Verdict
Kicks For Free gets the confident vote in the finale, with Tidal Bay and French Saulaie rating the main dangers. The selection was the best of these in bumpers and has made a promising start to his hurdling career, notably when beating Self Respect last time out. He looks sure to improve again and, under his optimum conditions, he is hard to oppose. Tidal Bay rates the main danger, as he won with plenty in hand last time when beating Cash Man. He is another that is sure to improve and should be closely watched in the market. French Saulaie is another that could go well as he won easily last time when beating Ice Cream. This looks much more competitive, tough, and his overall profile leaves him with a little to find. Of the remainder, Seven Is Lucky is from a yard in form and this Old Vic gelding - a half-brother to winning hurdlers Green Magical and Sully Shuffles - should be noted in the market. Still, for the winner we return to Kicks For Free, who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Formwatch
Kicks For Free (IRE) 1-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led on bit 2 out, ridden clear from last, won at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Self Respect (11-8) by 6l, 5 ran.
Smart Street 8-1 (10-13) Made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating To Tiger (10-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 1-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders and keen, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Cash Man (10-9) by 6l, 17 ran.
French Saulaie (FR) 5-1 (10-12) In touch and keen, led after 5th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Ice Cream (10-5) by 16l, 10 ran.
Battlecry 9-1 (10-13) Headed 4f out, soon outpaced, rallied over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Cork All Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) gs in Nov.
Flinders Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, in touch, effort 5th, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 15, well behind Sizing Europe (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Goscar Rock (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sound Accord (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) Old Vic gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers Green Magical and Sully Shuffles.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Carlitos (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Sula's Legend 9-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders and keen, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Turnberry Bay (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Led, ridden after 2 out, one length clear when blundered last, soon headed, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Le Rouge Fatal (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Viper 8-1 (10-13) Keen, mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 15, 15l behind Cheer Us On (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
William Bonney (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Behind until moderate headway from 2 out, 7th of 15, 23l behind Sizing Europe (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.