Racecards
15:40 Cheltenham
Mitie Group Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class D)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 1-44132
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 8th, led after 2 out, driven out
- Form 2P1224
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey S Durack
prominent, ridden 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 064030
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
held up in touch, headway 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
- Form 531651
- Age 10
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer G Barnett
- Jockey D R Dennis
prominent, ridden and out paced 3f out, rallied approaching last, kept on
- Form 354-143
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N M Babbage
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up and keen, headway 7th, led and not fluent 2 out, bit slipped, hung left and soon headed, rallied and challenged last, stayed on
- Form 345-346
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, one-paced approaching last
Brereton (IRE)
103- Form 205-40
- Age 7
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M Foley
held up in touch, lost place after 6th, never on terms after
Jacopo (FR)
29- Form 642241
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey B Hitchcott
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, one paced from next
- Form P-06113
- Age 6
- Weight 10-3
held up, not fluent 3 out, ridden and short lived effort approaching next, soon beaten
Robber (IRE)
29- Form 4-5030F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
in touch, headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden and one pace from 2 out
- Form 203125
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey T Best
in touch, headway 7th, lost place approaching 3 out, rallied approaching last, ran on flat
Major Blue
11- Form 34-0362
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J O'Shea
- Jockey Gary Richards
in touch, mistake 5th, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, dismounted
In depth
Verdict
Another wide open affair in which many can be given chances, but a chance is taken on Robber he was held in high regard at the start of the season, but he has disappointed however he is given one last chance to redeem him self now he has his favoured fast ground and of what looks a fair mark. Fork Lightning rates the main danger he was a fair second behind Isard III last time staying on well and with the step up in trip sure to suit he will be hard to beat with conditions in his favour. Battle Warning is also worthy of consideration he was a good fourth behind Double Account last time out however he weakened two out over a shorter trip and this longer distance is not sure to suit. Darina's Boy has been in good form of late in small races and he goes well on fast ground but he looks high enough in the weights for what he has actually achieved. Safari Paradise is well in on his best form and is from a top yard and although he has been disappointing of late he is worth a look in the market. Jacopo is another with a fine chance he won well at Southwell last time out goes well on the ground and he looks to be on a handy mark off only 10 stone four. Jaseur is another with a light weight that could go well but his best form has come with cut in the ground. Of the remainder Silver Gift will have the race run to suit and he could go well at a big price.