Racecards
14:25 Cheltenham
Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase (Class 2)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places, Cross Country: Good, Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £20,000 added
- Winner: £12,512
- 2nd: £3,696
- 3rd: £1,848
- 4th: £924
- Form 3102-31
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, outpaced after last (usual 3 out), ridden and weakened on extended run-in
- Form 921114-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up in touch, headway into 2nd 2 out (usual 4 out), led after last (usual 3 out), ridden over 1f out, kept on well
- Form 25/232-2
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
held up in rear, headway last (usual 3 out), went 2nd approaching bypassed 2 out, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon hung left, held final 100 yards
- Form 21U253-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
tracked leaders, outpaced after last (usual 3 out), soon ridden, no chance with leaders on extended run-in
- Form 252-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
tracked leaders, lost place 2 out (usual 4 out), soon outpaced, weakened on extended run-in
- Form 12117-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey B S Hughes
led, headed after last (usual 3 out), ridden and one pace in 3rd approaching bypassed 2 out, no impression with front pair after
- Form 2-42151
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
Withdrawn
Verdict
Colour Squadron has been placed in three Grade 3 contests around here but that first success over fences still eludes Philip Hobbs' luckless eight-year-old. He'll probably pop up when least expected but again didn't look the heartiest of battlers when worn down by Wonderful Charm at Newton Abbot last time. He's up against less-exposed types here including stablemate Champagne West, a three-times winner hurdler who was fourth in the Albert Bartlett here in March when Urban Hymn was behind. Splash of Ginge, another smart novice hurdler last season, comprehensively reversed Perth running with Ainsi Fidelis here last time but has collected an 8lb penalty for his troubles and the latter's trainer, David Pipe, should know where he stands with DELL' ARCA. He was second to Splash of Ginge in last season's betfair Hurdle but was conceding weight and went on to finish within half-a-length of that same rival in a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree. The five-year-old can make a winning start over the larger obstacles.
Formwatch
Splash of Ginge 5-4 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden when not fluent 2 out, led last, drew clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs in Oct beating Ainsi Fideles (11-1) by 9l, 3 ran.
Champagne West (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 5th, steady headway from 8th, ridden and disputing close 3rd 2 out, 4th and one pace before last, no impression, 4th of 18, 10l behind Very Wood (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Colour Squadron (IRE) 13-8fav (10-8) Took keen hold, close up on inside, went 2nd after 10th, led next, jumped slightly left and left clear 4 out, reduced lead and not fluent 2 out, headed before last, no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Wonderful Charm (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f int chs (2) sft in Oct.
Dell' Arca (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in touch in 4th, ridden after last, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Lac Fontana (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Apr.
The Wexfordian (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Chieftain's Choice (11-4) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Urban Hymn (FR) 8-13fav (11-2) Led, ridden and hit 2 out, soon joined, headed inside final furlong, driven and ran on, 2nd of 5, hd behind Duke Of Navan (11-2) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Bullet Street (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) In rear, headway before 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, kept on well to lead towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcap ch (3) gs in Oct beating The Bear Trap (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.