Racecards
17:05 Cheltenham
squareintheair.com Novices' Chase (Class 2)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £15,000 added
- Winner: £9,393
- 2nd: £2,775
- 3rd: £1,388
- 4th: £694
- Form 13192U
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in 4th, not fluent, hit 7th and 9th, closed 10th, mistake 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner after last, not able to challenge
- Form 114251
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
led, hit 8th, headed 11th, stayed upsides, led approaching 4 out, ridden after 2 out, edged right flat, stayed on, driven out
- Form 53-1315
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders, closed 5 out, chased winner after 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon unable to quicken, 3rd and stayed on same pace flat
- Form 5U1P34
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P R Rodford
- Jockey K Burke
with winner, led 11th, headed when stumbled 4 out, weakened next
- Form 321252
- Age 10
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer Mrs S Leech
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in 5th, fell 8th
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
BALTHAZAR KING is comfortably the pick on form having won three times over fences and running well in much better company over this C&D, particularly when runner-up to Wayward Prince in November. Adams Island's second to Captain Chris at Kempton has been made to look better by the spectacular victory of the winner in the Arkle but there were only three runners and he was undoubtedly flattered. Earth Dream will love the ground and was going well over fences last summer but, like Magical Legend, he has plenty to find against promising rivals.
Formwatch
Adams Island (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In touch when blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Bensalem (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Balthazar King (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Made all, dived at 5th, in command and clear from 2 out, pushed along from last, unchallenged, won at Hereford 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in Mar beating Acrai Rua (11-5) by 4l, 3 ran.
Earth Dream (IRE) 10-3fav (11-6) Held up in touch, driven along in well held 7th 4 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, never in contention, 5th of 11, 14l behind For Non Stop (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 22-1 (12-0) 4th of 7, 29l behind Drom (12-0) at Buckfastleigh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Magical Legend 11-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway from 12th to track leaders 5 out, chased winner after 3 out, switched right after next, stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Easter Legend (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs lst nov hcp chs (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.