Racecards
14:05 Cheltenham
Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 24 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £80,000 added
- Winner: £45,560
- 2nd: £17,096
- 3rd: £8,560
- 4th: £4,264
- Form 10-1532
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey B S Hughes
chased leaders to 4th, mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, behind from next
- Form 4P4-332
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leaders, driven and effort after 2 out, one pace before last, soon no extra, weakened flat
- Form 127
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
mid-division, headway after 3 out, driven to chase leaders after next, disputed 4th last, ridden and one pace flat
- Form 1P-5F32
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Mullins
held up rear division, headway 2 out, effort and every chance on inside between last 2, disputed 2nd at last, ridden and one pace when hung left flat, no impression when lost 4th near finish
- Form 5P-3131
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey D N Russell
in touch on outside, lost place after 2 out, weakened and eased before last
- Form 4-12133
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey M J Bolger
led to after 1st, with leader, lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form U51322
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
tracked leaders, close up and every chance 2 out, soon driven, weakened between last 2, beaten when hampered last
- Form 231203
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, tracked leaders on inside 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, soon weakened
- Form 9-49321
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
with leader, led after 1st, driven and headed before last, soon weakened
- Form P6-1350
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
tracked leaders, lost place when short of room after 3 out, soon behind
- Form 54-2110
- Age 10
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Harry Bannister
always in rear, struggling when hit 3 out, tailed off when puled up before last
- Form 637119
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer David Dennis
- Jockey N D Fehily
mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, one pace between last 2, disputed 4th and no impression when fell last
- Form 310-10
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Casey
held up in rear division, no impression when fell heavily 2 out
Aso (FR)
34- Form 313110
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 2 out, driven and lost place before last, soon weakened
- Form 6F-580P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
held up in rear division, smooth headway on outside after 3 out, close up next, came towards stands side rail and led before last, ridden clear flat, stayed on strongly
- Form 12114-0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
mid-division on inside, switched right after 3 out, one pace next, stayd on to chase clear leaders from last, never on terms
- Form 124
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up in rear division, still plenty to do 2 out, headway under pressure approaching last, ridden and kept on flat, went 4th near finish, never nearer
- Form 121332
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 137
not fluent 1st, mid-division, chased leaders on outside 2 out, one pace when short of room on stands side rail before last, soon weakened
- Form P5-531F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
towards rear, outpaced 2 out, never near leaders
- Form 500/113-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey S A Shortall
held up in touch, tracked leaders 2 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd final 110 yards
- Form 116U1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer Dr R D P Newland
- Jockey W T Kennedy
tracked leaders to 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 415-516
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
towards rear, outpaced, some late headway into mid-division under pressure when hampered last, never a threat
- Form 1P-0011
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer E P Harty
- Jockey N P Madden
in touch, lost place 2 out, soon outpaced, headway under pressure before last, ridden and kept on flat, went 2nd final 110 yards, no impression with winner
- Form 2153-17
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey D C Costello
chased leaders to 3rd, soon lost place and behind, no danger after
- Form 324-115
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer J P Ferguson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
Nonrunner
- Form 13-115P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey P J Brennan
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Five-year-olds have much the best record in this and there are plenty to choose from this year. The Irish also have a decent record in the race which used to bring down the curtain on the meeting until the schedule was swapped around a few years ago so Modem goes on the short-list. He was second in the normally-informative Boylesports Hurdle at Leopardstown in January and filled the same spot in a Grade 2 at Naas subsequently but Rich Coast, Orgilgo Bay and The Game Changer are returning from a break. So is QUICK JACK, though that isn't normally a problem for one from his yard and he's unexposed over hurdles having made giant strides on the Flat when last seen. Tony Martin's charge will love the ground and could be a blot on the handicap so gets the nod. Violet Dancer held off Cheltenian to win the betfair Hurdle at Newbury last month but there may not be much between the pair on the revised terms. Third Activial ran well in the Coral Cup here on Wednesday and Ebony Express, who was in touch when brought down two out, won the Imperial Cup at Sandown last week so the form looks solid. The latter will collect a massive bonus if he wins again here. Hawk High won the Fred Winter here last year and could also go well while a market check is advised on McCoy's mount Princely Conn. Max Dynamite may be the pick of his stable's five runners.
Formwatch
Hawk High (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 4 out, ridden last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Glingerburn (11-3) at Kelso 2m 2f hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Cheltenian (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, left chasing leading pair and hampered 4th, went 2nd before 2 out, driven and held when blundered last, 2nd of 23, 3l behind Violet Dancer (10-9) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Sempre Medici (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd after 3 out, no extra entering straight, weakened, eased, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Nichols Canyon (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Analifet (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Held up, 7th before 6th, improved into 2nd before straight, challenged and slight mistake last, soon no impression, one pace,, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Rock On The Moor (10-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl in Feb.
Rich Coast 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, 3rd halfway, progress 2 out and led approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Oct beating Macnicholson (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Orgilgo Bay (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, moderate 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd from 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Little King Robin (10-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Oct.
Modem 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, on terms 4th, soon 3rd again, challenged and on terms 2 out, gained narrow lead run-in, headed and not match winner, kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Lean Araig (11-4) at Naas 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
The Game Changer (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 2nd, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and no impression before next, not fluent last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Rebel Fitz (11-4) at Tipperary 2m hdl G2 (1) in Oct.
Violet Dancer 20-1 (10-9) Chased leader, left in lead 4th, made rest, clear 2 out, kept on strongly, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb beating Cheltenian (11-4) by 3l, 23 ran.
Ballyglasheen (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Last pair, pushed along and struggling after 3rd, soon lost touch, tailed off 5th, 13th of 18, well behind Bayan (11-5) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Dec.
Lightening Rod 8-1 (11-13) Towards rear, weakened before 3 out, last of 10, well behind Ruacana (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Roman Flight (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced after out, no impression, 9th of 15, 17l behind Garde La Victoire (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Lucky Bridle (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 14th of 24, 32l behind Katie T (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan.
Aso (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, 16th of 23, 34l behind Violet Dancer (10-9) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Wicklow Brave 9-1 (11-0) Never travelled and soon well in rear, lost touch after 2nd, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Ebony Express (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs, 23 ran.
Baltimore Rock (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, closed when not fluent 4 out, 6th last, weakened flat, 10th of 15, 18l behind Garde La Victoire (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Max Dynamite (FR) 11-10fav (11-3) In rear, 4th from 4th, last again before straight, disputed 3rd 2 out, no impression from before last where in rear, kept on same pace into 4th near line, 4th of 5, 15l behind Lean Araig (11-4) at Naas 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Princely Conn (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 4th early, 5th into straight, progress to lead last, headed from over 50yds out, kept on without matching winner,, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Sir Scorpion (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl sft in Feb.
Waxies Dargle 15-2 (11-0) Towards rear, fell 4 out, in a race won by Katie T (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan, 24 ran.
Quick Jack (IRE) 7-4fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, progress approaching 2 out, travelled well in 9th entering straight, ridden into 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 24, 3 1/2l behind Gilgamboa (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan '14.
Ebony Express 33-1 (10-7) Chased leader, ridden to challenge before 2 out, driven into lead before last, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Sandown 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs beating Rayvin Black (10-2) by 3/4l, 23 ran.
Dormello Mo (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, lost place 2 out, 6th of 8, 16l behind Snake Eyes (10-11) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) sft in Dec.
Sort It Out (IRE) 4-1fav (10-7) Mid-division, 7th 2 out, progress to lead approaching last, soon asserted and stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl in Feb beating Fort Smith (10-8) by 7l, 18 ran.
Forced Family Fun 40-1 (10-11) In touch, hampered 4th, staying on disputing 3rd on inside when blundered then hampered 2 out, not recover, 7th of 23, 15l behind Violet Dancer (10-9) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Commissioned (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th, lost place before 3rd, closed before 4 out, pushed along in 3rd from 3 out until 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 6, 25l behind Vyta Du Roc (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Minella Present (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Took keen hold, chased winner, not fluent 4th, no impression when lost 2nd after 3 out and dropped to 4th, beaten before mistake next, eased and pulled up before the last, in a race won by Unique De Cotte (10-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb, 7 ran.