Racecards
17:40 Southwell
Betdirect.com 5 Places At Cheltenham Handicap (Class 5)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Fibresand
- £4,500 added
- Form 5-44241
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer R Harris
- Jockey M Stainton
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
- Form 3518-13
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer B Smart
- Jockey Paul Eddery
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon hung left and hung right inside final furlong
Hephaestus
21- Form 37594-7
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer A J Chamberlain
- Jockey Dean McKeown
in rear, ridden halfway, never nearer
Sohraab
31- Form 6-61
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey S J Drowne
tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
- Form 114-228
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer M D I Usher
- Jockey Frances Pickard
in rear, ridden halfway, headway 2f out, soon one pace
- Form 34-6335
- Age 3
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 54
- Trainer A J McCabe
- Jockey W Buick
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Jojesse
35- Form 7604-2
- Age 3
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 54
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey Dale Gibson
pushed along towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon one pace
In depth
Verdict
Sohraab was most impressive last time and can follow up this afternoon, Jojesse and Strike Force are the obvious dangers. The selection beat a decent type Ceredig, in smooth style, cruising up the inner and securing the ideal position against the rail. There should be plenty more to come and he looks the best option here. Strike Force landed a seller at Wolverhampton last time in great style and doesn't look harshly treated back in handicap company. Jojesse ran well over the five furlong trip here last time and tries this distance for the first time. He was staying on well after veering left at the start of that event so the extra furlong may well suit. Sheriff's Silk is another capable of taking ahand in the finish, but our idea of the winner is the progressive Sohraab.
Formwatch
Strike Force 2-1fav (9-0) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo sll (6) pol beating Firebird Annie (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sheriff's Silk 17-2 (8-10) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, nk behind Rosa de Mi Corazon (9-4) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Hephaestus 66-1 (9-1) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 7, 13l behind Rosa de Mi Corazon (9-4) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Sohraab 7-4fav (8-13) Dwelt, soon led, headed approaching 2f out, led 1f out, shaken up and ran on, won at Lingfield 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb beating Ceredig (9-13) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Diminuto 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 9l behind Imprimis Tagula (9-6) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Pappas Image 6-1 (8-12) Prominent, effort and hung left over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 8l behind Bentley (9-3) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Jojesse 5-2 (8-10) Went left start, chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Bentley (9-3) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Feb.