Racecards
14:35 Cheltenham
Lloyds Tsb Commercial Finance Novices' Handicap Chase (Class D)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good
- Form 0/U3-112
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey J M Maguire
in touch, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner
Gazump (FR)
27- Form 05-1216
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
with leader, led 4th, ran on well flat
Charlies Future
268- Form 354332-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer S Burrough
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up, effort approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no impression
Glenogue (IRE)
189- Form 433242-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
mid-division, ridden and no impression from 11th, no danger when slightly hampered 3 out
Rookery Lad
24- Form 102233
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
- Form 260402-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer D Keane
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up, mistake 6th, jumped right and mistake 8th, pushed along approaching 4 out, 7 lengths 6th and one pace when fell 3 out
- Form 33F/233
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Ms Bridget Nicholls
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
prominent until mistake 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Fast King (FR)
429- Form 00F/43P-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey J Mogford
mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
Garde Bien
162- Form 2P4F6-1
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
held up, headway after 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
- Form 42/P04-5
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer P Kelsall
- Jockey P J Brennan
in touch until 7th, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
In depth
Verdict
With a distinct lack of experience on offer the suggestion here is to keep stakes relatively small, but in doing so we will side with Garde Bien, who impressed first time, with Lord Of Illusion and Gazump others who should be involved at the business end. The Ferdy Murphy-trained selection at least proved he can jump fences well enough with a facile success on his debut in this sphere at Towcester in May, and though that form is nothing to write home about, this looks likely to be his optimum trip over fences, he has a nice racing weight on his handicap debut, and he also has the benefit of Timmy Murphy's handling to add a further positive, so we will take a chance on his fitness. Top weight Lord Of Illusion has plenty more experience with five chases under his belt, two of which were wins at Wetherby and Stratford in the spring. He has won with some cut in the past so won't mind any rain, but if it does soften up then it won't make it easy under this weight and the trip is a little short if anything, so he is opposed. Of the others, Gazump is worth consideration on his chasing debut. He is sure to have been well schooled, will get the trip, and has some tidy hurdles form under his belt, though it is still a big ask to land this first time, so we will stick with Garde Bien to win it for the north.