Racecards
16:55 Cheltenham
Matchbook Best Value Betting Exchange Novices' Chase (Class 2)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 166y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £25,000 added
- Winner: £15,640
- 2nd: £4,620
- 3rd: £2,310
- 4th: £1,155
- Form 11-5112
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer J C McConnell
- Jockey S Bowen
led to after 1st, tracked leader, mistake and lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced on long run before 2 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
- Form 2F1113
- Age 5
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
led after 1st, driven and headed approaching omitted 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up 2 out
- Form 81/11-22
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up behind, hit 4th, not fluent after, lost touch before 3 out (usual 4 out), soon pulled up
- Form 113394-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey T J O'Brien
tracked front pair, went 2nd 3 out (usual 4 out), led approaching omitted 3 out, ridden and headed on long run before 2 out, weakened between last 2
- Form 4650-29
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer Mrs S Leech
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in rear, close up when hit 10th, not fluent next, effort to chase winner on long run before 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance before last
- Form F8/4528-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey R M Power
held up in 4th, tracked leaders going well after 3 out (usual 4 out), led on bit on long run before 2 out, clear last, easily
- Form 122411-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
NonRunner
Pym (IRE)
225- Form 9/12210-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
NonRunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
It took a while for the penny to drop last season with Secret Investor but he won at Wincanton in March and followed up in Grade 2 company at Ayr. That appears the best form in this but he is having a first run on ground this soft over fences. Topofthecotswolds is looking a bit exposed while Go Another One was turned over at Uttoxeter when odds-on but points and hurdles winner FIRST ASSIGNMENT is worth a market check as he makes his fencing bow and gets a tentative vote. Pym could also go well but Whatmore jumped poorly and was a lucky winner on his chasing debut and looks vulnerable under a penalty. Slate House was largely disappointing last season and is best watched along with Dead Right and Garo De Juilley.
Formwatch
Go Another One (IRE) 1-5fav (11-8) Led, not fluent 12th, headed and not fluent 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Angel of Harlem (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m (3) gd in Sep.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Mistake 1st, held up well in rear, closed steadily approaching 4 out, went modest 3rd before next, blundered 2 out, 3rd of 9, 32l behind Soupy Soups (10-1) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Dead Right 3-1jfav (11-2) Held up in rear, slightly hampered 7th, headway 13th, mistake 3 out, jumped left 2 out, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Bally Longford (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
First Assignment (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, pushed along before 3 out, went 4th last, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Tobefair (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Garo De Juilley (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 16, 20l behind Flash The Steel (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Slate House (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) In touch until before 3rd, hampered 6th, well behind from 9th, 8th of 12, dist behind Duc Des Genievres (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Secret Investor 2-1fav (11-0) With leader on outside, led when hit 4 out, mistake 2 out, driven clear approaching last, ridden out flat, ran on, won at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr beating Louis' Vac Pouch (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Whatmore 2-9fav (11-0) Led early and keen, not fluent, narrow 2nd when left in lead and clear from 4 out, hampered by loose last 3 fences, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in May beating Tanrudy (11-0) by 22l, 3 ran.
Pym (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced on outside 2 out, ridden between last 2, never threatened leaders, 11th of 24, 19 1/4l behind Early Doors (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.