Racecards
13:55 Cheltenham
Thwaites Smooth Beer Hurdle (Showcase Handicap) (Class B)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Form 6F555-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey P Robson
led and soon well clear, ridden and 1 length when blundered and fell 3 out
- Form 11P-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
held up, headway 6th, disputing 2nd and 1 length down when slightly hampered 3 out, chased winner after, ridden and chance last, not quicken run in
Noel's Pride
31- Form 041112
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey G Lee
chased leaders until weakened from 4 out
- Form 11023-1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer S Dow
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up in touch, ridden along 6th, headway from next, disputing and 1 length when left in narrow lead 3 out, pecked next, stayed on well run in
- Form 2411P2-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer J Gifford
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
chased leader to 4th, weakened and lost touch from 5th, tailed off and pulled up before last
- Form 1033UF-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, ridden and held when left 3rd and slightly hampered 3 out, one-paced under pressure after
Young Buck (IRE)
116- Form 6-45232
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey J P Byrne
held up and behind, headway from 6th, ridden and one-paced when hampered 3 out
Gun Shot
236- Form 113102-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer N M Babbage
- Jockey J Mogford
always in rear, lost touch from 7th, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
The Ian Williams-trained Majestic put in a respectable effort on his reappearance at Market Rasen last month and will no doubt have benefited from the outing. The seven-year-old should ensure that there is no hanging about and will play a strong hand in setting a decent pace if he runs to form. However, his limitations were cruelly exposed on numerous occasions last season and his tendency to find a few too good does temper the confidence for him to an each way selection at best. There are no such doubts about the resolution of Arabian Moon and he may have the race run to suit if the leaders go off too fast. The mount of Mick Fitzgerald has thrived on his racing of late and the booking of the Irishman for the ride is clue enough towards his chance. However, this may provide Noel's Pride with one last chance before the handicapper finally gets his measure and he just gets a tentative vote for the TEAMtalk selection. It would take a significant downpour to seriously hinder him today and he can strike for his in-form stable, who have an impressive 35 % strike-rate with their hurdlers so far this term. Norman Williamson is also an interesting booking for Silver Streak, and it is worth bearing in mind that he won two of the three races when he teamed up with Joss Gifford's runner over fences last season.