Racecards
13:35 Cheltenham
Tom Albert Mines Memorial Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (Class B)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 1
- Age 3
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer John Queally
- Jockey J Culloty
held up in touch, led approacing 5th, clear when hit last
- Form U113
- Age 3
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
took keen hold, mistakes 1st and 4th, chased leader untill outpaced before 6th, stayed on from 3 out to take moderate 3rd after 2 out
- Form 111
- Age 3
- Weight 11-6
mistake 1st, settled in 3rd, chased winner 5th, no impression before last
- Form 31
- Age 3
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C Weedon
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
in touch, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
- Age 3
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Gilligan
- Jockey D J Howard
jumped badly in rear, mistake and lost touch from 5th, tailed off
- Form 35
- Age 3
- Weight 10-12
led 1st, headed approaching 5th, weakened, hit 3 out, left poor 4th last
- Age 3
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey R Johnson
in touch, effort to track leader appoaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th and weakening when fell heavily last
In depth
Verdict
This is the best novice event to be run so far this season and Web Perceptions has already proved his effectiveness here when showing plenty of resolution to wear down After Eight last month, with another of today¿s rivals Barneys Lyric well held back in third. That is much the best form on offer and he is the selection to keep his unbeaten record intact. Barneys Lyric had been impressive in landing two minor contests prior to that defeat and while he ought to give a good account, there is no reason why he should reverse the form with Web Perceptions. Irish raider Al Eile made a fine start to his hurdling career when making a winning debut at Listowel back in September. A fine big sort, he can only have improved for the experience. Border Tale, useful at up to 12-furlongs on the flat, was soundly beaten by Barneys Lyric on his hurdling debut at Bangor, but showed the benefit of that outing when going on to score in a good time at Haydock. While he does have plenty to find with Barneys Lyric, he should certainly finish closer to him here. Newcomers Best World and Fantastic Arts face difficult tasks on their debuts, but the latter, a dual-winner on soft ground in France on the flat is one to keep an eye on if the market speaks in his favour, but Web Perceptions has the edge in experience and can make it tell.