Racecards
13:45 Cheltenham
Jockeys Employment & Training Scheme Hurdle (Intermediate Handicap Hurdle Race) (Class C)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Soft
Tucacas (FR)
197- Form 11012-6
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
held up towards rear, steady headway 7th, led after 2 out, clear last, driven out flat
- Form 113112
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey S Durack
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, weakened approaching last
Hopbine
227- Form 511225-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer J Spearing
- Jockey H Oliver
in touch to 3rd, soon ridden, behind from 3 out
- Form 4F114-5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey P Aspell
raced keen in rear, not fluent, some headway after 7th, never dangerous
- Form 445011-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
in touch to 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, one pace from next
Box Builder
96- Form 5-12241
- Age 5
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
chased leader, jumped right 3rd, disputed lead briefly 6th, soon ridden, weakened from 3 out
- Form 060-600
- Age 4
- Weight 10-1
held up in rear, ridden after 7th, ran on from 2 out, nearest finish
Noisetine (FR)
230- Form 03/1511-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey F Windsor Clive
pulled hard in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
- Form 3-53120
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
held up in rear, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, every chance approaching last, ran on flat
- Form P312-12
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
always about mid-division, never dangerous
- Form 2-00116
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Seamus O'Farrell
- Jockey J Culloty
led 3rd, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
In depth
Verdict
A fairly competitive contest with plenty of in-form rivals taking each other on in a tight betting heat. Martin Pipe is doubly represented including top weight Turacas who found a sharp two miles an inadequate test when disappointing in the valuable Swinton Hurdle for which she was sent off favourite. The five-year-old had previously run with credit when runner-up over this course and distance (now 3lb higher) and won't lack for fitness on her seasonal reappearance so gets the TEAMtalk vote under A P McCoy. There are plenty of dangers however including Cill Churnain who will prefer this faster surface after running a little below par last time and remains fairly treated on back-to-back victories at Southwell and Worcester in September. Noisetine showed improvement for the step up to this sort of trip with decisive wins in two novice events last term and should go well off a low weight if fit following a near eight month break. Colourful Life faced a stiff task on his seasonal return in a valuable heat at Down Royal but will have benefited from the outing and can reach a place. Samasakhan boasts some useful Irish form but does seem hard to win with so is passed over on this occasion but hat-trick seeking Arabian Moon has to be on the short list despite a further 6lb hike for his latest C&D victory.