Racecards
17:15 Cheltenham
Mark Blandford Novices' Chase (Class 2)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £20,000 added
- Form 2F-P311
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey D Elsworth
led, kept on gamely when strongly pressed from 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied as winner idled flat, just held
- Form 121225
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
chased leaders, blundered 4 out, stayed at same pace from next
- Form U11FP2
- Age 11
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, smooth headway to track leader 16th, went 2nd 3 out, upsides next, led approaching last, idled flat, driven and held on
- Form 111PR4
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Paul Moloney
chased leaders to 11th, lost touch 14th, tailed off
- Form P5P/1P-P
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
pressed leader, hit 7th, lost 2nd 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Boychuk, Ballyfoy and Classified look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase with the vote going to Boychuck. The selection was a fair fifth behind Aces Four last time out this looks easier and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Ballyfoy rates the main danger as he beat Boychuck last time out however the selection was let down by his jumping on that occasion and in the hope that he puts in a clear round here he is taken on. Classified was second behind Patman Du Charmil last time and is another with place claims but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find. Of the remainder Always Waining is from an inform yard and is worth a look in the market but for the winner we return to Boychuck.
Formwatch
Ballyfoy (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden to close on leader approaching 2 out, led soon after last, driven out, won at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Boychuk (11-10) by 1l, 4 ran.
Boychuk (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) In touch, lost place from 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 10, 20l behind Aces Four (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Classified (IRE) 6-1 (11-13) Tracked leading trio, some progress 12th, pecked 14th, ridden 3 out, chased winner flat but always held, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Patman Du Charmil (10-7) at Warwick 3m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Kilbeggan Blade 18-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 4 out, out pace when mistake next, 4th of 11, well behind Bellaney Jewel (9-11) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar.
Jolly Joe (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 4th, soon given reminders and headed, hit 6th, weakened 8th, well behind 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th pulled up at the 11th in race won by Manx Royal (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Always Waining (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Disputed lead, drew clear after 12th, ridden, edged left and headed last, weakened flat, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Ballyfoy (11-6) at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.