Racecards
15:15 Cheltenham
Betfair Handicap Chase (Class D)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 1F21-13
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A P McCoy
in touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off
- Form 1P-2551
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer A W Carroll
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up, ridden after 8th, effort approaching 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
Jakari (FR)
226- Form 32311P-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
prominent, led 4th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well flat
- Form 311-F41
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
not fluent 1st, with leader early, prominent, reminders approaching 7th, ridden and weakening when mistake 11th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 2P1-11P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
held up in rear, mistake 5th, ridden after 4 out, no chance when mistake 2 out
- Form 32152-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
led, headed 4th, lost place after 4 out, stayed on again approaching last
- Form 3F/P245-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
in touch, headway after 6th, weakened after 4 out
- Form 6/1145-1
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey T Doyle
held up, mistake 3rd and 8th, headway approaching 4 out, chased clear leaders approaching next, ridden and mistake 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 3P1P5-4
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
held up, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
- Form 423-2F0
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P J Brennan
mid-division, headway 8th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no impression flat
- Form 1402-34
- Age 9
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in rear, mistake 4th, headway approaching 12th, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
In depth
Verdict
Venetia Williams may hold the key to the outcome to this contest saddling both Kock De La Vesvre and Jasmin Guichois with the former getting the verdict. The French-bred gelding won three times in novice-company last term and showed that he could be a force in handicaps this term when running a creditable third behind the race fit Cill Churnain on his return at Aintree last month. The winner there is trained by Sue Smith who has a good line to the selection for her representative Diceman. The son of Supreme Leader made all when making a winning return at Carlisle at the beginning of the month. He has to be respected off just a 4lb higher mark. Jasmin Guichois, a stablemate of the selection, looked unlucky when leading but falling at the last at Haydock on his most recent start in March. An absence since is a concern but Venetia Williams can produce horses fit after a lay off and the stable has a fine record at this meeting. Hit Royal made a winning return when scoring at Huntingdon in September and is another worthy of a mention as races off just a 2lb higher mark today. Curtins Hill should strip fitter for his recent comeback run over course and distance, while Jakari is well enough treated but his stable is yet to strike form this term. Moving Earth appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at present and we prefer to side with the other joint-topweight Kock De La Vesvre to give Venetia Williams another Open winner.