Racecards
15:10 Cheltenham
Club 16-24 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class E)
- 21 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good
- Form 2U12-13
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
in mid-division when mistake and unseated rider 2nd
- Form 3/00-201
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
in touch, pushed along after 3rd, one pace and no chance when slightly hampered 2 out
- Form 311-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, no chance
Master Rex
158- Form P511F-3
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer B De Haan
- Jockey D Cosgrave
behind, staying on one pace under pressure when hampered 2 out, soon ridden and never dangerous after
Calatagan (IRE)
226- Form 130661-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey M Seston
tracked leader, led approaching 5th, cleared before 3 out, mistake last, weakening run in, held on all out
Goss
38- Form 5F06-00
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey J Doab
in touch, ridden 4th, mistake and fell next
Davoski
24- Form 5504P5
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey O Dayman
ridden 3rd, well behind from next
- Form 414000
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T J Malone
led and hit 1st, headed approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out
Border Tale
25- Form 300-605
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Antony Evans
always behind
Hi Fi
168- Form 0F116-0
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey James Davies
never better than mid-division
- Form 62-2123
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
prominent, chased winner after 5th, hit 3 out, one pace and no impression when lost 2nd run in
Valance (IRE)
350- Form 1F-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer C R Egerton
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
behind, steady headway from 3 out, chased leaders after next, stayed on to chase winner run in, finished well, just held
- Form 101F3-0
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Stephen Craine
behind, beaten when slightly hampered 4 out
- Form 351623-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
held up in rear, steady headway from 5th, 3rd and staying on one pace when fell 2 out
Captain Miller
1401- Form 514045/
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
in touch, behind after 4 out
- Form 461000-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer S Lewis
- Jockey P C O'Neill
towards rear, no chance when hampered 4 out
Travel (POL)
22- Form 431244
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey W McCarthy
behind, some headway approaching 2 out
Chevronne
52- Form 612
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer B J Llewellyn
- Jockey T J Phelan
behind, hampered 4 out, stayed on under pressure from next but never dangerous
- Form 215012
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer M Harris
- Jockey Ben Orde-powlett
behind, headway approaching 2 out, never able to challenge
In depth
Verdict
The top three in the weights are not there for nothing and they should all be involved in the finish here, with Flying Spirit just getting our vote over Desert Air, with Green Tango and Captain Miller, from lower down, others to consider. The selection has been well placed by trainer Gary Moore and is a very consistent performer. Rated in the 70s on the level, he comes into his own over hurdles and both his easy Stratford win in May and his third in a valuable Market Rasen handicap hurdle a month later are the best pieces of form on offer here. He remains on the same mark as that last hurdles run but is still fit from the flat and can take this. Desert Air will be competitive, but on balance he has a bit to find off level weights. He will handle any rain without a problem, and has all the battling qualities needed if it becomes a slog up the hill, so don't rule him out completely. Green Tango was all out to land a Worcester novices' contest when last seen out in April and has three wins from his last four starts, so is clearly respected, but he also has a bit to find, while of the others Captain Miller would have a chance if he can recapture his old hurdles form after a long absence from the sticks. But Flying Spirit sets the standard and can score.