Racecards
15:00 Cheltenham
Unibet International Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 179y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £112,000 added
- Winner: £63,784
- 2nd: £23,934
- 3rd: £11,984
- 4th: £5,970
- Form 2318-22
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
led early, pressed leader, led after 2 out, headed just after omitted last, lost 2nd final 100 yards, kept on
- Form 2120-42
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey James Bowen
held up towards rear, ridden, effort and switched left before omitted last, no impression on leaders
- Form 325-112
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 158
held up towards rear on inside, closed 3rd, close up bypassing omitted last, ridden flat, held final 100 yards, kept on
- Form 6/1321-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer T Symonds
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
tracked leaders, led just after omitted last, hard pressed close home, just held on
- Form F125-14
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey T Scudamore
raced keenly, soon led, not fluent 3rd, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace from omitted last
- Form 1326-1C
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Adam Wedge
chased leaders, not much room bypassing omitted last, switched right and again not much room flat, stayed on well, just denied
- Form 13/353-2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up in rear, headway on outside final bend, ridden and stayed on same pace from omitted last
- Form 111U-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
hung right, tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 3rd, led 2 out, soon headed and weakened quickly
- Form 1115-22
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
held up towards rear on outside, not fluent 1st, tried to close before omitted last, no impression and weakened flat
- Form 151/4-22
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
mid-division, headway on outside final bend, not much room bypassing omitted last, weakened flat
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Verdana Blue and Call Me Lord are bidding to give Nicky Henderson a fourth successive victory in this Grade 2 but the latter faces a stiffer task than when successful 12 months ago. Sceau Royal wasn’t done any favours by a loose horse when second to Epatante in the Fighting Fifth but fared better than Silver Streak, who was carried out at the second flight. Evan Williams’ grey finished sixth in the Champion Hurdle here in March, ahead of Ballyandy and Call Me Lord, and is no forlorn hope. The latter is held by Song For Someone on Kempton running while Summerville Boy beat CH’TIBELLO over 2m4f at Aintree before finishing fourth over 3m at Newbury. Dan Skelton’s charge should reverse placings over this trip, however, with the strong-traveller sure to be suited by the likely fast pace. Goshen would have won the Triumph Hurdle at The Festival by a wide margin had he not unseated Jamie Moore after jumping the last but he’s been well beaten twice on the Flat since so does have questions to answer. Stormy Ireland hasn’t taken to fences this season but this is a tough race in which to resume her hurdling career.
Formwatch
Ballyandy 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led 3 out, driven approaching last, headed flat, held final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 14, 3l behind The Shunter (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Call Me Lord (FR) 7-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, disputing 2nd from 3rd, not fluent next, pushed along in clear 2nd before 2 out, held when not fluent last, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Song For Someone (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) sft in Nov.
Sceau Royal (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Left in lead at 2nd, hampered approaching 3 out, ridden and headed flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Epatante (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Song For Someone (GER) 11-4 (11-6) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Ascot 2m 3f (1) sft in Nov beating Call Me Lord (11-6) by 5l, 3 ran.
Summerville Boy (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Held up in midfield, not fluent 3rd, headway before 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Thyme Hill (11-3) at Newbury 3m (1) gd in Nov.
Silver Streak (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Left in lead 1st, carried out by loose horse next, at Newcastle 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Ch'tibello (FR) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway on outside 2 out, driven flat, went 2nd final 100 yards, edged left and stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Summerville Boy (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (2) gs in Nov.
Goshen (FR) Evensfav (9-1) Led, upped tempo over 4f out and went clear, pushed along 3f out, went left and headed over 1f out where hampered by winner, soon switched right and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Natural History (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Led, headed 5th, tracked leaders, led again soon after 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Zambella (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Midfield, headway to press leader travelling strongly 2 out, driven before last, kept on strongly flat, just denied, 2nd of 7, nk behind Mrs Hyde (11-0) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) sft in Oct.