Racecards
14:15 Cheltenham
Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase (Registered As The November Novices' Steeple Chase) (Class A)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form 2/1545-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
jumped well, took keen hold tracking clear leader, closed up approaching 4 out, joined leader 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear flat, easily
- Form 501-01U
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
mistakes, took keen hold tracking leaders, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly and lost 7th, tailed off when blundered last
- Form 64-1111
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
led and soon clear, ridden approaching 3 out, joined and not fluent next, headed and weakened approaching last, finished tired
- Form 11004-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
prominent until outpaced approaching 4 out
- Form 62P240
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer J R Cornwall
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
soon well behind, tailed off from 4th
Mumaris (USA)
100- Form 12P511
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Mark Campion
- Jockey V T Keane
in touch, mistake 6th (water), soon behind, tailed off from 4 out
In depth
Verdict
Azertyuiop was a high-class hurdler but connections believe he could be even better over the larger obstacles and the five-year-old confirmed the impression when a most decisive winner on his chase debut at Market Rasen last month. Although the opposition was ordinary, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding jumped well throughout and proceeded to slam his rivals by a distance having made most of the running. The outing will have sharpened him up and with plenty of improvement to come from this natural chaser, he should prove hard to beat and gets the TEAMtalk verdict. Golden Alpha has done nothing wrong having won all four chase starts to date but has plenty to find with the selection on hurdling form and this represents a step up in class from the level of opposition he has been competing against. Fait Le Jojo blundered and unseated behind the selection last time and needs to improve his technique so recent Exeter winner Stars Out Tonight may prove best of the remainder.