Racecards
17:20 Cheltenham
Pertemps Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Class A)
- 24 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f 110y
- Going: Good
Tardar (NZ)
31- Form 3110-01
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey E Cooper
mid-division, ridden when fell 3 out
- Form 113/0-P4
- Age 8
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer L Lungo
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
in touch, ridden after 9th, soon weakened
- Form 505142
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
held up, headway 10th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
- Form 2PP-0P1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, went lame and pulled up before next
- Form 3-12130
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, headway 10th, ridden and every chance last, ran on
- Form 211-2F5
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
in touch, hit 8th, ridden 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on
- Form 10-21P0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
mid-division, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
- Form 1322-4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey James Davies
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
- Form 006013
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer D Hughes
- Jockey Paul Carberry
led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
- Form 3-00356
- Age 9
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
- Form 142425
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey R Johnson
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra towards finish
- Form 451302
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened
- Form 012-140
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 51413-3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey D J Casey
held up, headway approaching 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
- Form 251312
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, headed towards finish
- Form 4-12240
- Age 7
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
- Form 1/311F1
- Age 8
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey A Dempsey
prominent, weakened quickly 10th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 2-2P552
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J Candlish
- Jockey S Durack
hampered 3 out, always behind
Creon
38- Form 6-300P6
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, headway 10th, ridden approaching last, ran on to lead towards finish
- Form 002203
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Mr T J Malone
behind, some headway 10th, soon weakened
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The well-backed Keepatem can keep Irish eyes smiling at the end of day one, with Mistanoora, Stormez, Ar Muin Na Muice and Hidden Bounty just a few who are likely to make a bold bid as well. Keepatem failed to make the line-up 12 months ago, but has been laid out for this since by his astute trainer who has been making bullish noises concerning the J P McManus-owned eight-year-old. Third at Aintree last year on his only other appearance on these shores, Keepatem is very lightly raced and has been absent since finishing just behind G V A Ireland in a Leopardstown qualifier for this event in January. As some of the stable's inmates had been afflicted with the cough, he can be expected to improve for the run even though meeting that rival on the same terms. Confidence would be higher with more give in the ground, but even so he will be ready to run for his life and is selected. Mistanoora is a course winner and comes from the local stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies who has been in great form this season. Of Pipe's trio, Imperial de Thaix went close in a qualifier run here and makes more appeal than Carlovent, but Tony McCoy is on Stormez who ran well back over hurdles at Haydock a month ago. Jonjo O'Neill won this 12 months ago with Inching Closer who has been chasing since moving stables, and who should not be left out of calculations in his bid for a follow-up. Jonjo himself has three entries, but admits that Tardar, well beaten in last year's Coral Cup, has a tough task under topweight and would prefer much softer going. Barry Geraghty rides the mare Ar Muin Na Muice and she carries the main hopes of the Jackdaw Castle yard. Len Lungo saddles both The Bajan Bandit and Freetown, the latter having been well-backed of late to follow up his 2002 success in this contest. Fellow northern raider Hidden Bounty has won three of his last four starts and will relish the trip. His trainer Mary Reveley is yet to get off the mark at the Festival but he should go well. Irish runners have failed to reach the frame in the last two runnings of the Pertemps, but Keepatem could be the one to change that and take the prize back to the Emerald Isle for the first time since Generosa in 1999.