Racecards
14:35 Cheltenham
Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle (grade 2) (Class 1)
- 20 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £79,274 added
- Form F-511
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up towards rear, steady progress from 7th, ridden after 3 out, staying on but held when left 2nd last
- Form 1-05311
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders, led on bit 3 out, ridden and headed well after 2 out, 1 length 2nd when fell last
- Form 5PF9-11
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Miss H Lewis
- Jockey A Glassonbury
led until after 4th, gradually faded from 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out
- Form 4F1111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer James Moffatt
- Jockey A Dempsey
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
- Form 5-12113
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced and hampered 3 out, stayed on again approaching last
- Form 3112-31
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Joseph Crowley
- Jockey B J Geraghty
tracked leaders, hit 1st and 6th, 3rd and ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
- Form 2421
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
never fluent in rear
- Form 93-1214
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey M Batchelor
behind, reminders after 5th, good headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
- Form 28/F412
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
towards rear on outer, struggling 7th, headway after 3 out, stayed on well from next
- Form FP-P114
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
soon struggling in rear, some headway after 3 out, never troubled leaders
- Form 11-1222
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey N P Madden
jumped right throughout, in touch, hit 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
- Form 2-43118
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer Miss S West
- Jockey J Goldstein
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace approaching last
- Form 6-F1231
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey M O'connell
hit 6th, always towards rear
- Form 111151
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, driven along from 8th, stayed on from 2 out
- Form 42-12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey S Thomas
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened 2 out
- Form 3220/21
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
towards rear, stumbled approaching 5th, some headway next, ridden 8th, weakened after 3 out
- Form 110-112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
prominent, led after 4 until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
- Form 2-1U112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 127
mid-division, his 5th and 7th, soon struggling
- Form 334-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer C R Egerton
- Jockey P J Brennan
mid-division until weakened quickly 9th, pulled up after 3 out
- Form 08-1211
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
tracked leaders, hard ridden after 3 out, challenged next, just taking lead when left clear last, stayed on strongly
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The form of Wichita Lineman's last run here in January was considerably franked on Wednesday (beat Massini's Maguire and Tidal Bay; first and second in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle) and he certainly looks the one to beat, although the rapidly improving Chief Dan George, Labelthou, and Flight Leader all have sound claims of place money at least. Although scrubbed along from some way out, Jonjo O'Neill's charge looked like he would be more at home with a truer gallop which he looks sure to get today. His only defeat over hurdles came at the hands of Massini's Maguire and he should take all the beating today. Vinando got off the mark over hurdles last time out and a classy stayer on the flat, he looks an outsider with a real chance if they go lickety-split early on. Chief Dan Geoerge has looked a different horse this season and has racked up four victories in a row, culminating in a Grade Two contest at Haydock last time out. He stays all day and should relish the hill, whilst last-year's Bumper winner is another who looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip. Sir Jimmy Shand had his limitations exposed by the selection last time out and will need to bounce back, so of more interest may be Willie Mullins' Black Harry. He was impressive last time out (beat little of note however) and if suited by today's faster conditions, he looks a real joker in the pack. Leading Run is one for the placepot, whilst Flight Leader's three runs here looks fair form and he is another with place claims at least. Ultimately this looks a corker of a race with many in with chances, however we will happily return to Wichita Lineman who looks sure to appreciate this step up in trip and land this contest for last year's winner Jonjo O'Neill.
Formwatch
Air Force One (GER) 5-6fav (11-5) In touch, led after 2nd, hit 7th, ridden clear 3 out, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Just Smudge (10-12) by 14l, 16 ran.
Black Harry (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Led, headed 3rd, led again from 6th, strongly pressed 3 out, drew clear 2 out, stayed on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 3m nov hdl hvy in Jan beating Offaly (11-5) by a distance, 8 ran.
Celtic Major (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Made all, ridden and quickened clear approaching 2 out, joined last, hard driven, ran on gamely flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan beating Abragante (11-8) by 1l, 15 ran.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, stayed on well to go clear from last, won at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Itsa Legend (11-8) by 15l, 7 ran.
Flight Leader (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, led 2 out, headed well before last, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Blazing Bailey (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Hairy Molly (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Always prominent, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Feb beating Knowledge Box (11-7) by 3l, 25 ran.
Head Held High (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Close up, led after 4 out, clear next, reduced advantage straight, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied under pressure, slight mistake last, soon regained lead, kept on under pressure, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl gs in Feb beating Golde.
Here's Johnny (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, effort before 3 out, one pace, 4th of 18, 32l behind Imperial Commander (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Itsa Legend 10-1 (11-8) Held up, reminders and outpaced halfway, chased leaders approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression from last, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Chief Dan George (11-11) at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Joaaci (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Led, hung right from 7th, headed after 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 7, 26l behind Chief Dan George (11-11) at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Leading Run (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led and clear, jumped badly right, reduced advantage before 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden and outpaced straight, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Aran Concerto (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
Mac Federal (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 17, 18l behind Gaspara (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
Mr Strachan (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Led approaching 2nd, drew well clear approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb beating Aitch Doubleyou (11-6) by a distance, 9 ran.
Negus de Beaumont (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Made all, clear 3 out, ran on well, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb beating Im A Witness (11-0) by 13l, 6 ran.
Ornais (FR) 4-5fav (11-11) Held up, headway and hit 8th, every chance after 3 out, soon ridden and hung right, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Trigger The Light (11-11) at Taunton 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Secret Ploy 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden along from 8th, led after 3 out, idled flat, driven out, won at Kempton 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan beating Barbers Shop (11-6) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sir Jimmy Shand (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led 2nd to 5th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on, weakened run-in, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Skippers Brig (IRE) 2-7fav (11-13) Led, headed briefly 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed post, 2nd of 10, nk behind Sherwoods Folly (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Vinando 1-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, chased leader 2 out, led last, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Hold That Thought (11-0) by 4l, 13 ran.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) In touch, headway to go 3rd 3 out, upsides 2 out, led approaching last, driven and stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Tidal Bay (11-12) by 6l, 11 ran.