Racecards
13:55 Cheltenham
Jewson Hurdle Final (Showcase Handicap) (Class B)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 0-13112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
led, clear when mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th, hit 3 out, ridden and headed after next, weakened flat
- Form 66-2311
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
held up, ridden after 2 out, never dangerous
Grave Doubts
12- Form 306111
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, led after next, ridden clear when mistake last, driven out flat
- Form 222141
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
steady headway after 3rd, ridden after 3 out, every chance next, outpaced approaching last, rallied under pressure flat, no chance with winner
- Form 133123
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey A Dobbin
in touch, reminder after 5th, weakened 3 out
- Form 6-0313P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, short-lived effort approaching next, never on terms
- Form 1422
- Age 4
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leader, hit 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
Red Sun
25- Form 62-2162
- Age 5
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer A Streeter
- Jockey L Vickers
held up in touch, headway when mistake 3 out, ridden flat, stayed on
- Form 552062
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
held up, ridden after 4th, never on terms
- Form 543145
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Old Marsh finds himself heading the weights but meets Persian King on the same terms as when beaten half-a-length by that gelding at Chepstow on his last run. He could reverse those placings with a tongue strap fitted but it should again be close between them. However, both could be vulnerable at the top of the weights. Wait For The Will has done well this summer on the Flat but is lightly-raced over hurdles. Grave Doubts has been raised a further six pounds for his latest win, his third in a row and comes here at the top of his game. He'll love the fast going and the tongue strap has certainly worked wonders for him. Scarletti is hardly a leading light from his stable and is now nine-pounds higher than for his last win. Sunday Rain has risen in the weights for some consistent efforts and may find one or two too good again. All things considered, Grave Doubts could well land the four-timer and is the TEAMtalk selection. The top two in the weights could well give him most to do.