Racecards
14:10 Cheltenham
Thwaites Smooth Beer Hurdle (Showcase Handicap) (Class B)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Form 0P-1120
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer S Dow
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
in touch, mistake 6th, kept on same pace under pressure from 3 out, never dangerous
Just In Time
10- Form 13F-U21
- Age 8
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
in touch, headway to press winner from 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden, one pace approaching last
Jollyolly
24- Form 121101
- Age 4
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey A P McCoy
in touch, hit 3rd, led after 4 out, joined next, hard ridden drew clear approaching last, stayed on strongly flat
Ambry
24- Form 00-4112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
chased leader until weakened 4 out
- Form 2FPP-04
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey W A Worthington
took keen hold, chased leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened next
- Form PP4431
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Mrs A M Thorpe
- Jockey S Durack
led, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly
Joshua's Bay
22- Form 4-24131
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer J R Jenkins
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in rear, headway under pressure from 3 out, 3rd and one pace when blundered and fell last
- Form P66-P03
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey J Culloty
in touch, pressed leaders, every chance 2 out, one pace, under pressure before last
In depth
Verdict
This is a competitive affair and Ambry, Just In Time, Celtic Star and Arabian Moon have all got chances, but we will take a chance on Jollyolly. The selection looks to be on the upgrade and ran a cracker to convincingly beat Ambry last time at Uttoxeter. Ambry had gone off as favourite on that day but now looks to have reached the limit of his improvement so looks opposable here. Just In Time could be the one to give our selection the most to do as he bounced back from a disappointing run to beat Maceo at Stratford last time. Arabian Moon is a course and distance winner but was well beaten by Sunday's Aintree winner Cill Churnain last time so looks opposable, while Celtic Star could be interesting as he should have won last time at Chepstow but hung badly in the final stages and finished third behind Moving Earth. He's nicely weighted and has excellent place claims, but is a difficult ride This is a decent contest but Jollyolly is in good heart at present and gets the vote.