Racecards
15:40 Cheltenham
Institute Of Directors Novices' Chase (Class B)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form F63421
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer L A Dace
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
made all, jumped well, driven out flat
- Form 5-22120
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders until pulled up before 12th
Sea Drifting
13- Form 313425
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer K Morgan
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up in touch, headway 9th, chased winner 12th, pushed along after 17th, hard ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 45-F254
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey S Stronge
in touch to 9th, tailed off from 13th
- Form 4F3222
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer N M Babbage
- Jockey James Davies
tracked winner, not fluent 7th, lost 2nd 12th, ridden approaching 16th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 3-FP043
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J R Cornwall
- Jockey R Hobson
held up, jumped right, headway 8th, lost place 10th, headway again 15th, chased winner 17th until blundered next, weakened approaching 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Seven go to post for the Institute Of Directors Novices¿ Chase over the extended three miles and a furlong, with Ask Henry, Keltic Heritage and Sea Drifting the three to concentrate on. The latter performed with credit when running into fourth at 100-1 in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival but might be found out by the fast ground. Keltic Heritage stays all day and was considered for the Scottish National after his Market Rasen victory. He¿s a tough sort but is another who would prefer a bit of cut, and will do well to give weight to Ask Henry here. Paul Nicholls¿ charge finished seventh in the four miler at the Festival and although his earlier win at Chepstow was in soft ground, connections have no fears of him handling the prevailing fast conditions. He possesses a touch of class, being a half-brother to Valley Henry, and gets the vote.