Racecards
15:30 Cheltenham
Yorkshire Bank Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle (listed) (Class 1)
- 18 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £24,500 added
- Form 11-3131
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, weakened before last
- Form 111242
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Rachael Green
behind, driven along 7th, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
- Form 143612
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in mid-division, headway on outside after 3 out, slight lead 2 out, headed soon after last, not pace of winner run-in
- Form 4-14632
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey B Fenton
held up, good headway 6th, slight lead 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, no extra run-in
- Form 322313
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey A O'keeffe
in touch, ridden and losing place when pulled up and dismounted approaching 2 out
- Form F48444
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer H S Howe
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up in rear, smooth headway from 2 out, tracked leaders approaching last, led soon after last and quickened clear
- Form 221312
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
led to 4th, stayed prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened next
- Form 112-143
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened soon after
Ellway Prospect
106- Form 16-2183
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer M G Rimell
- Jockey J E Moore
towards rear, hit 2nd, driven along 5th, soon behind and no danger after
- Form 4-11411
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Mrs V J Makin
- Jockey A Dobbin
chased leader, led 4th to 3 out, weakened rapidly
Purple Patch
29- Form 370122
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer C L Popham
- Jockey L Heard
in touch, hit 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 2P3101
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey R Young
behind, some headway from 2 out but never dangerous
- Form 13-2621
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 110
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
- Form 12-124F
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer R H Buckler
- Jockey D A Jacob
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, driven and stayed on one pace approaching last
Linnet (GER)
19- Form 564275
- Age 5
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
behind most of way, driven and struggling from 7th
- Form 332757
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey P Kinsella
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
- Form 84-1374
- Age 8
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey M Bradburne
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out and weakened soon after
- Form 539-712
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer J G Portman
- Jockey D Elsworth
held up, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Karello Bay can land the day's feature event at the expense of Blaeberry, Fountain Crumble and Strawberry, with Norton Sapphire and Ben's Turn just two more to mention. The list is endless really in what should be a most competitive mares' only Listed race, but Karello Bay has shown a touch of class all season, and it came as no surprise when she captured the big mares' final at Newbury in March, with Very Special One in third and Strawberry back in 11th. She is now 12lb worse off with Very Special One for the 16-lengths that separated them at the Berkshire track, but on the good ground that she loves, Nicky Henderson's challenger is expected to maintain that form at the very least. A bigger danger could well be Blaeberry who claimed the scalp of Minella Tipperary at Exeter in October and who has struggled just a bit to get her head in front since thanks to the handicapper. Emma Lavelle will no doubt think about putting her over fences soon, but has had this race in mind and is expecting a big run. Fountain Crumble was let down by her jumping at Ascot last time but still managed to reach the frame, and with Rachel Green able to take 7lb off her back today, she has to be on the short-list. Norton Sapphire has been a model of consistency, and Ben's Turn lines up fresh after a break, so are just two more to ponder over, but we reckon that class will tell in the shape of Karello Bay.
Formwatch
Karello Bay 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 7th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar beating Miss Mitch (11-4) by 3l, 18 ran.
Fountain Crumble 8-11fav (11-3) Held up, hit 8th and 9th, headway and not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, mistake last and soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Saratogane (11-10) at Ascot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Christdalo (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, joined leader 7th, not fluent 9th, ridden behind leaders 2 out, ran on well to go 2nd from last, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Fine By Me (10-0) at Taunton 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Blaeberry 11-2jt-fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, led after 8th, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Ordre de Bataille (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Very Special One (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Jumped left throughout, led, hit 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace after, 3rd of 18, 16l behind Karello Bay (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Silver Charmer 11-1 (10-8) Behind, headway on outside approaching 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, nearest finish, 4th of 16, 14l behind Accordello (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Norton Sapphire 9-2 (11-2) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Royal Katidoki (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Ben's Turn (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on at one pace to go 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 15, 23l behind Celtic Major (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Ellway Prospect 11-2 (11-2) Held up, took closer order 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Smoothly Does It (9-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Annie's Answer (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) With leader, left in lead 3rd, headed 5th, led again 3 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Mag Num (11-0) by 7l, 14 ran.
Purple Patch 10-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Silencio (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Strawberry (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 5th, kept on strongly from last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gf beating Papeete (11-6) by 7l, 10 ran.
Ring Back (IRE) 6-5fav (11-2) In touch, progress 4th, led 3 out, drew clear from 2 out, eased, won at Towcester 2m mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb beating Bonnet's Pieces (11-2) by 13l, 15 ran.
Mossville (FR) 6-1 (11-0) A bhnd; t.o when fell in race won by La Folichonne (11-7) at Whitwick Manor 3m ptp gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Linnet (GER) 6-1 (10-10) Chased winner 2nd until 7th, weakened after 9th, 5th of 7, 34l behind Hautclan (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Mar.
Reem Two 16-1 (10-6) Soon struggling in rear, headway 10th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 31l behind Present Glory (10-4) at Ascot 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Blackbriery Thyne (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Towards rear, ridden after 7th, stayed on from 3 out, not reached leaders, 4th of 18, 17l behind Karello Bay (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 4th, lost place 5th, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Copper Bay (11-2) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up behind, good headway after 7th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Karello Bay (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.