Racecards
14:10 Cheltenham
Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 26 Runners
- Distance: 2m 179y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £90,000 added
- Winner: £51,255
- 2nd: £19,233
- 3rd: £9,630
- 4th: £4,797
- Form 1-65274
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey Conor Smith
mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 3rd, outpaced last (usual 2 out), soon lost place
Zamdy Man
55- Form 11/25-34
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Charlie Deutsch
took keen hold, led to after 1st, tracked front pair, not fluent 3rd, ridden and lost place after last (usual 2 out), soon weakened
- Form 1184-1F
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division when fell 4th
- Form 42-1628
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer J P Ferguson
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
in touch, driven to chase leaders after last (usual 2 out), soon ridden and one pace, weakened flat
- Form 3-0F051
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 147
always behind
- Form 2/11-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey B J Geraghty
took keen hold, led after 1st, headed approaching last (usual 2 out), soon weakened, pulled up before omitted last
- Form F1251-5
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
held up mid-division, hampered 2nd, tracked leaders last (usual 2 out), soon ridden and one pace, no impression after
- Form 43/359-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer A Fleming
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
always towards rear
- Form 122-821
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer W F Treacy
- Jockey D J Mullins
tracked leaders, challenged last (usual 2 out), every chance approaching omitted last, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner on extended flat
- Form 1210-54
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
mid-division, ridden after last (usual 2 out), never near leaders
- Form 19-3262
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer J R Barry
- Jockey B T O'Connell
raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon outpaced and behind
- Form 051/81F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey J J Burke
held up in touch, lost place after 2 out (usual 3 out), soon behind
- Form 15320-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey B S Hughes
soon towards rear, outpaced before last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, headway under pressure bypassing omitted last, stayed on flat, not reach leaders
- Form 1401/00
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
towards rear, outpaced on outside last (usual 2 out), headway under pressure approaching omitted last, ridden and kept on flat, never nearer
- Form 22-111P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
pressed leader, led narrowly before last (usual 2 out), ridden and headed approaching omitted last,soon no impression with front pair, held on under pressure for 3rd flat
- Form 1224F-2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
in touch, driven after last (usual 2 out), headway under pressure before omitted last, ridden and stayed pressing for places flat, no impression
- Form 11-2020
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R P McLernon
mid-division, slightly hampered 2nd, driven after last (usual 2 out), kept on same pace, never troubled leaders
- Form 7F-2262
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Mark Walsh
chased leaders to 3rd, soon behind, headway on inside last (2usual 2 out), soon outpaced, never reached leaders
- Form 1215-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
held up behind, headway on outside last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, kept on same pace, never on terms
- Form 11143
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer J P Ferguson
- Jockey Mr Alex Ferguson
chased leaders, ridden after last (usual 2 out), kept on same pace, no impression
- Form 11-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
towards rear, outpaced from last (usual 2 out)
- Form 2-31130
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
always behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off
- Form 13-211
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up towards rear, headway before last (usual 2 out), soon chased leaders, stayed on to dispute 3rd from after omtted last, no impression
Kayf Blanco
41- Form 631384
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer D Killahena & G McPherson
- Jockey Kielan Woods
mid-division, driven after last (usual 2 out), ridden and kept on under pressure on extended flat, never reached leaders
- Form 1444-12
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up mid-division, headway after 2 out (usual 3 out), tracked leaders last (usual 2 out), ridden to lead approaching omitted last, soon clear, stayed on well
- Form 037/44-0
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
in touch when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
HAWK HIGH never figured under top weight in this last year but gets good ground for the first time since winning at Aintree in 2014 having landed the Fred Winter here on similar going earlier. He may well have been laid out for this having had just the one pipe-opener at Musselburgh this season and is a sporting each-way selection. Starchitect must go well if reproducing his comeback run in the Betfair Hurdle. He only found one too good following a lengthy absence and was fourth in last year's Fred Winter after a campaign in strong company – the good going is also in his favour. Modus didn't give his true running in the Betfair but remains a nice prospect having had just the four starts over hurdles. It's interesting that he runs in this rather than one of the novice events. Montbazon was another to run in the Betfair and, like Starchitect, he was making his seasonal reappearance. He could be well treated on his form of a couple of years ago when he was third in this race and fourth in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock. Great Field has only had one run for Willie Mullins and won well at Leopardstown, beating Draco, while there will also be plenty of confidence behind Alan Fleming's Blue Hell, who beat Wednesday's Coral Cup winner Diamond King at Fairyhouse in November. Superb Story was second to Old Guard in the Greatwood here in the same month and has been waiting for better ground – he might still be well handicapped. Wait For Me, All Yours and Henry Higgins are others to consider.
Formwatch
Cheltenian (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway halfway, under pressure after 3 out, effort next, weakened last, 4th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Lil Rockerfeller (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f (1) gs in Feb.
Zamdy Man 10-1 (11-0) In rear and in touch, went 3rd before 7th, no impression on leaders, lost 3rd place when weakened last, 4th of 5, dist behind Bristol De Mai (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Dicosimo (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Tracking leaders when fell 4th, at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Devilment 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and weakened before the last, 8th of 21, 13 1/2l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Henry Higgins (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, progress on inner approaching 2 out, went 4th entering straight, switched right and progress to lead last, soon asserted, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Jan beating Kalkir (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 23 ran.
Great Field (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders on outer and pulled hard, headway to lead at 4th, not fluent 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f sft in Feb beating Draco (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
All Yours (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, hit 3 out, headway into 4th 2 out, no impression before the last, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 8, 9 3/4l behind Irving (11-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Blue Hell (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up, progress from before 3 out, close up travelling smoothly 2 out, led between last 2, ridden out run-in and stayed on well,, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Diamond King (11-6) by 3l, 15 ran.
Fethard Player (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, close up travelling smoothly 3 out, soon on terms, pushed along to lead from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct beating Misty Lady (11-0) by 5l, 13 ran.
Some Plan (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards raer, headway approaching and hit 2 out, went 3rd under pressure between last two, no impression and dropped to 4th towards finish, 4th of 21, 2 3/4l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Bentelimar (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Jn rear, slight mistake 4th, closed next, closed up to be prominent on outer after 3 out, on terms travelling smoothly before straight, led before 2 out, soon ridden, joined approaching last, headed early run-in, no extra and eased closing stages, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Sempre Medici (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
Sizing Tennessee (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Close up, soon raced in 2nd, on terms 5th, soon led, headed before 2 out but still close up when fell, at Gowran Park 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
Hawk High (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place before 6th, no impression after, well held 6th when mistake last, 5th of 11, 13l behind Shrewd (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Ivan Grozny (FR) 40-1 (11-4) In touch, hampered 4th, weakened before 3 out, 16th of 22, dist behind Agrapart (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Sternrubin (GER) 8-1 (11-1) Led until 4 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Starchitect (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led 4 out, hard pressed after next, headed approaching when blundered last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 22, 11l behind Agrapart (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Mad Jack Mytton (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Midfield, hampered on bend after 1st, hampered again 4th, weakened before 3 out, 17th of 22, dist behind Agrapart (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Draco 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th 2 out, soon ridden, 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Great Field (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f sft in Feb.
Cardinal Walter (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed after last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Shrewd (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Feb.
Francis Of Assisi (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, effort and every chance approaching last, ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Label Des Obeaux (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
John Constable (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, closed before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, edged right flat, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Sternrubin (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Modus 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hampered 4th, weakened 3 out, 13th of 22, dist behind Agrapart (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Wait For Me (FR) 1-5fav (11-11) Tracked front pair, switched outside to lead after 4 out, not fluent next, mistake 2 out, 2 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and edged right flat, kept on, won at Kempton 2m (5) sft in Jan beating Querry Horse (11-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Kayf Blanco 20-1 (11-0) Held up in last, not fluent 5th, effort 3 out, driven after 2 out, pressing leaders after last, 4th and no extra towards finish, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Connetable (10-4) at Sandown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Superb Story (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway after 2 out, driven to challenge and every chance last, soon ridden, kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Old Guard (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Montbazon (FR) 50-1 (10-13) Pulled hard in rear, headway 3 out, never dangerous, 10th of 22, 33 3/4l behind Agrapart (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.