Racecards
15:45 Cheltenham
Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £40,000 added
- Winner: £22,780
- 2nd: £8,548
- 3rd: £4,280
- 4th: £2,132
- Form 4111-43
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leaders, pushed along from 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
- Form 51341-1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey T J O'Brien
led, headed before 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace before last
- Form 21182-3
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 160
- Trainer H Fry
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden flat, stayed on well
- Form 1215-14
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, driven flat, stayed on, unable to trouble winner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Rock On Ruby is sure to have benefited from his comeback third at Wincanton and he was only beaten a head by The New One over this trip in the Aintree Hurdle in April. Lac Fontana won a Grade 1 novices' event at that meeting and is another who will be sharper for a recent run. But, on today's revised terms, he has nothing in hand on VOLNAY DE THAIX who may not have stayed 3m at Haydock last month under a big weight. Nicky Henderson's charge could be worth another chance as Saffron Wells is probably a little out of his depth and Brother Brian will need to improve again on his win at Kempton to figure.
Formwatch
Lac Fontana (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased winner until 4 out, chased leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, driven and outpaced between last two, well held when went right last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Faugheen (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov.
Brother Brian (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Made all, jumped and hung left from 2 out, pressed last, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Utopie Des Bordes (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led until before 2 out, kept on flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Purple Bay (10-11) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 3-1fav (12-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, outpaced 2 out, kept on from last, 4th of 16, 8l behind Aubusson (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, chased winner before last until run-in, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Peckhamecho (11-2) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.