Racecards
16:35 Cheltenham
131st Year Of The Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup (Handicap) (Class A)
- 21 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
Eskleybrook
20- Form 30U6-11
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer V Gethin
- Jockey Mr D Mansell
always behind, blundered 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
- Form 311-3F3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer R Phillips
- Jockey R Johnson
held up in mid-division, steady headway from 10th, stayed on well run-in
- Form 302U62
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey R Garritty
prominent, chased leader 6th, losing place when mistake 3 out, no chance when blundered next
- Form 420-U04
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
held up, staying on well when slightly hampered 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
- Form 40-12U1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
chased leader to 6th, weakened before 4 out, beaten when hampered 3 out
- Form 1PP11P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Mr A O'Keeffe
led 3rd, blundered and headed 11th, no chance when hampered 3 out, pulled up before last
- Form 4-1FP12
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer D Hassett
- Jockey B J Geraghty
prominent, close up when hampered 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, weakened flat
- Form 33-3302
- Age 10
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer A L T Moore
- Jockey D J Casey
always towards rear, mistake 5th, held up when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 1F1211
- Age 5
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up in mid-division, headway 12th, driven to chase winner when blundered last, not quicken, run-in
- Form 112U24
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
led to 3rd, remained prominent, led again 11th and going well when blundered and fell 3 out
- Form 2530P4
- Age 8
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey A Dobbin
in touch when blundered and fell 3 out
- Form 1F2-402
- Age 8
- Weight 10-1
held up in mid-division, headway from 10th, mistake 4 out and next, stayed on well to run-in to take 2nd near finish, finished well
- Form 121/F5F
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer A Martin
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, headway from 4 out, stayed on run-in, not reached leaders
Red Ark
19- Form 00U-060
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer R C Guest
- Jockey Mr L McGrath
in touch, went 2nd 4 out, left in lead 3 out, soon headed and one pace before last
Korakor (FR)
89- Form 2-PP203
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
close up in inside when slightly hampered 3 out, weakened next
- Form 061320
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
never better than mid-division
- Form 31-2231
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up in mid-division, headway from 10th, led after 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, hung right run-in but ran on well
- Form 612114
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
prominent, lost place before 10th, behind when hampered 3 out, never dangerous after
Harvis (FR)
27- Form F32261
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey G Lee
always behind, mistake 7th, struggling from 11th
- Form 361310
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
behind, hit 2nd, ridden 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 55U340
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer R Hodges
- Jockey A Honeyball
in touch to 5th, behind when mistake 7th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The last running of this race provides some valuable pointers to this renewal as the first three home meet again on similar terms. However, Fadoudal Du Cochet's latest outings have not really hinted that he can overcome a 6lb higher mark as he bids to retain the race for Arthur Moore. The same comments can be leveled at Exit Swinger, whose stable have endured a frustrating Festival so far, and he is passed over. Dark 'N Sharp makes the most appeal out of the trio and is still open to plenty of improvement - even though he is creeping up the weights. Eskleybrook is another to consider after proving his defeat of Tiutchev was no one-off at Kempton last month. However, marginal preference is for Vol Solitare, who has done very little wrong in his six previous starts over fences. He does have a minimal penalty to carry for his easy win at Kelso at the start of the month. But like many of his stablemates, he arrives at the Festival at the top of his game.