Racecards
13:45 Cheltenham
Sporting Index Cross Country Handicap Chase (Class B )
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m 7f
- Going: Good (Chase: Good to Soft in places)
- Form 255-101
- Age 11
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer E Bolger
- Jockey Mr J T McNamara
made most, ridden approaching last, ran on well
- Form FP-0PR3
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey A O'keeffe
held up in touch, challenged winner from 27th, every chance 2 out, no extra approaching last
- Form 210552
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer Oliver McKiernan
- Jockey G Cotter
held up in rear, steady headway from 27th, still travelling well after 2 out, one pace approaching last
- Form P10-611
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up, jumped slowly 16th, headway 25th, chased winner after 2 out, hung left approaching last, not quickened flat
- Form 33-UU15
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
held up, mistake 27th, headway after 4 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 1-53326
- Age 11
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer J G Cann
- Jockey Miss P Gundry
prominent, lost place 11th, behind from 5 out
Famfoni (FR)
28- Form 41/PPP-6
- Age 11
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J Tizzard
prominent, mistake 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before last
- Form U/30-PPU
- Age 12
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in rear, mistake 20th, some headway 27th, mistake 4 out, soon struggling
- Form 1-44160
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Mrs G Harvey
- Jockey C Llewellyn
tracked leaders, hit 27th, soon weakened
Ashgan (IRE)
28- Form 003000
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey O Dayman
prominent until lost place 22nd, behind when mistake 26th, tailed off from 4 out
In depth
Verdict
This course brought the best out of Spot Thediffernce last month and he should again go close, but he has more to do at the weights this time and is taken on with Bright Approach, who loves his racing at Prestbury Park and is expected to enjoy the challenge of these unique fences. French Executive and Star Performance are others to seriously consider, while Luzcadou is not out of it if he arrives here in the right frame of mind. The last mentioned has a tendency to throw in the odd stinker though and he is not one to trust implicitly. A glance at his completion rate tells its own story. Star Approach is also fancied to get the better of Spot Thediffernce on 5lb better terms than the last time they met. Being a lightly raced individual, he is still open to improvement and it will be no surprise to see Cheltenham's Irish contingent get behind him this afternoon. However, he does find it hard to force his head in front and stay there, so is vulnerable to a more determined type in a finish. French Executive is presently on a roll and has plenty of experience to draw from. Paul Nicholls has a fair record in races of this nature and his charge should again be on the premises here. However, Bright Approach always seems to run pounds above himself when he races at his favourite track and he looks worth a small investment at the likely prices today. The distance is not a problem for this tough old performer and, as he receives the best part of a stone in weight from the top weight, Bright Approach has rock solid claims on the terms of the race.