Racecards
14:55 Cheltenham
Mears Group Handicap Chase (Class B )
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f 110y
- Going: Good
- Form 2302-13
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up in touch, went 2nd 14th, challenged from 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon led, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on flat
- Form 111F0-0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, steady headway from 14th, led 2 out, ridden out
- Form 15UU1-6
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 148
prominent, chased leader 6th until after 9th, ridden approaching 12th, weakened 14th
- Form UP4P/21-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider 8th
- Form 541P-23
- Age 11
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer Ms Bridget Nicholls
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in touch, ridden approaching 12th, behind from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 2515F-0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey Mr D H Dunsdon
held up, hit 16th, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, one pace flat
- Form 3313/3P
- Age 10
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up in rear, pushed along 15th, hard ridden after next, stayed on from 3 out, kept on well flat
- Form 1-31354
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leader to 6th, went 2nd again after 9th, lost place and hampered 4 out, soon well behind, stayed on well from 2 out
- Form 461260
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey A Thornton
mid-division, headway approaching 13th, disputed 2nd from 17th until approaching 3 out, weakened and not fluent 2 out
- Form 13-1UU1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
led, challenged from 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
Kelami (FR)
41- Form 14B-003
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer F Doumen
- Jockey D Gallagher
held up, not fluent 6th, headway after 16th, disputing 4th when fell 4 out
- Form 0-50004
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey Dr P Pritchard
well behind from 8th
In depth
Verdict
Royal Auclair, Therealbandit, Joly Bey and Frenchman's Creek are four against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the vote goes to Therealbandit. The selection was amongst the top novice chasers last season and although he was well beaten in the Gold Cup he looks to be on a fair mark here and should be spot on having had a blow over hurdles. He has conditions to suit and will be hard to beat. Royal Auclair rates the main danger on his latest third behind Celestial Gold but the Pipe yard have a line on that form and for that reason he is passed over. Joly Bey looks well weighted on his best form and is one to note with his yard beginning to hit form. Frenchmans Creek is another that would have definite place claims on his best form but he was very disappointing last time so can not be put forward with any confidence. Baron Windrush is another that looks well weighted but his jumping is far from fluent and for that reason he is opposed. Of the remainder Ballybough Rasher is from a yard in form and is another to note in the market but he may just need the run after a 405 day absence and for the winner we return to Therealbandit.