Racecards
15:35 Cheltenham
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 26y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £30,000 added
- Winner: £17,085
- 2nd: £6,411
- 3rd: £3,210
- 4th: £1,599
- Form 15330-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked leader, led narrowly 4 out, headed narrowly last, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, not pace of winner closing stages
- Form 3614-3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey Conor Shoemark
held up in rear, close up when fell 3 out
- Form 2952-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey D A Jacob
led, headed narrowly 4 out, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 1-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, chased front pair towards stands side before last, switched left flat, led and stayed on well closing stages
- Form 1-3
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey B J Cooper
held up behind, headway to track leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, well beaten after next
- Form 41-11
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leaders, led narrowly between last 2, ridden after last, kept on until headed and not pace of winner closing stages
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Poetic Rhythm had Vision Des Flos back in third when landing the Persian War at Chepstow but the latter can reverse that form over this longer trip on 5lb better terms. Calett Mad has won both starts since reverting to hurdles but he’s a thorough stayer so this drop in distance could find him out. Momella upset the odds-on Brillare Momento at Newton Abbot in May and beat another short-priced favourite, Brahms De Clermont, at Fakenham on her reappearance so could be anything but Aye Aye Charlie looks up against as he was easily beaten by ON THE BLIND SIDE at Aintree. That was a cracking first run over hurdles from Nicky Henderson’s novice, who is held in high regard.
Formwatch
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Keen, chased leaders on inside, slight lead after 7th until 2 out, chased leader, led again last, driven and kept on gamely run-in, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct beating Amour de Nuit (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Aye Aye Charlie 16-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway on outside 3 out, driven to chase leaders before next, soon ridden and one pace, kept on under pressure flat, took 3rd final strides, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 10, 8 3/4l behind On The Blind Side (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Calett Mad (FR) 6-5fav (11-3) Made all, clear after 3 out, came towards stands side turning into straight, ridden out flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 3m (3) gd in Oct beating Robbin'hannon (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
On The Blind Side (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, driven to lead narrowly approaching last, soon ridden and hard pressed, held on gamely flat, won at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Another Stowaway (11-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Vision Des Flos (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, slightly outpaced when hit 3 out, rallied on outside approaching next, 3rd and one pace between last 2, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Poetic Rhythm (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Momella (IRE) 5-4 (10-11) Pressed leader, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Brahms De Clermont (11-4) by 17l, 3 ran.