Racecards
14:05 Cheltenham
Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 28 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £80,000 added
- Winner: £45,560
- 2nd: £17,096
- 3rd: £8,560
- 4th: £4,264
- Form 77-2334
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey James Cowley
held up in last pair, struggling 3rd, tailed off after 3 out
- Form 064-112
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr D G Lavery
in touch, driven and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
Cotton Mill
34- Form 111U3-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer J P Ferguson
- Jockey D F O'Regan
tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, behind when fell last
- Form 121-943
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 148
tracked leaders, blundered badly and lost place 5th, behind 2 out
- Form 16-2233
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Mr H Derham
held up behind on inside, outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure after next, ridden and kept on approaching last, never reached leaders
- Form 73F6/4P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Tom Bellamy
in touch, ridden before 2 out, weakend before last
- Form 0-067F8
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer D W P Arbuthnot
- Jockey Tom Cannon
towards rear, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on into mid-division between last 2, never a factor
- Form 403-043
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer M Banks
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
in touch, lost place 3 out, ridden next, kept on under pressure approaching last, never on terms
- Form 2F50-10
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
- Form 37-1011
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D J Casey
led, driven and hard pressed between last 2, headed soon after last, ridden and kept on flat
- Form 121132
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey J M Maguire
held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 2 out, ridden before last, kept on flat, never nearer
- Form 2F11-02
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
mid-division, struggling 3 out, never on terms
- Form 2190/60
- Age 10
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
mid-division, weakend 2 out
- Form 111442
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Miss Jane Mangan
mid-division on outside, outpaced when hit 3 out, never able to challenge
- Form 1218-2P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R P McLernon
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
- Form 63/0-210
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ms K Walsh
always towards rear
- Form 51-6268
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 138
mid-division in touch on inside, headway after 2 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, kept on same pace, no impression
- Form 1207-0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D J Condon
mid-division, headway under pressure 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, no impression with leaders
- Form 03-P333
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
in touch, chased leader after 3 out to after next, soon weakened
- Form 538-405
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Paul Carberry
mid-division in touch on outside, headway after 3 out, chased leadesr under pressure next, weakened before last
- Form 0-31191
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer D O'Meara
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in last pair, headway into mid-division 3 out, outpaced on outside next, switched inside between last 2, ridden and kept on approaching last, weakened flat
- Form 17373/0
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
mid-division on inside, chased leaders under pressure 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair
- Form 2511-30
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey N D Fehily
towards rear, headway into mid-division before 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened
- Form 4-31923
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey B J Cooper
mid-divisoin, smooth headway after 3 out, went 2nd going well after next, poised to challenge between last 2, led after last, ridden and kept on flat
- Form 262-138
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer J Mackie
- Jockey Peter Carberry
tracked leaders to before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
- Form 1-F222U
- Age 9
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey R Johnson
mid-division, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
- Form 7-21121
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey Donal Devereux
prominent, lost place 3 out, soon behind, tailed off
- Form F1332P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey Brendan Powell
tracked leader, lst place after 3 out, soon weakened and behind, tailed off
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Five of the last six winners of this competitive handicap have been trained in Ireland so it must be worth paying particular attention to those that have travelled across the water. Willie Mullins has three entered, though Abbey Lane was unplaced in the Coral Cup on Wednesday. Tennis Cap beat Discoteca at Leopardstown last month while Midnight Game won at Fairyhouse and Thurles in December, but is less favourably weighted. AP McCoy is on the reliable Princeton Plains for Eddie Harty but we are hoping for a big run from TED VEALE near the foot of the weights. He ran very well behind Abbey Lane on his handicap debut at Leopardstown in January and should turn the form around on 11lb better terms. Tony Martin's charge may have a bit more scope than some of these. The home team could be headed by Dan Breen, who has been running well without reward this season, though Ifandbutwhynot is in great form and beat Imperial Cup second Tanerko Emery here in November. Olofi often runs well in these big-field handicaps and Cotton Mill only found My Tent Or Yours too good in the Betfair Hurdle, though has been raised 5lb since. Ranjaan would have a chance on last year's form and looks best of the rest.
Formwatch
Brampour (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up tracking leading trio, pushed along and ouytpaced in 5th before 4 out, struggling and no chance after, 4th of 6, 32l behind Prospect Wells (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Midnight Game 5-6fav (11-9) Led, challenged 3 out, soon travelled well in lead, challenged again last, ridden run-in and disputed, 2nd at line, 2nd of 3, shd behind Cause Of Causes (11-10) at Navan 2m hdl hvy in Jan.
Cotton Mill 9-1 (10-9) Always prominent, travelling well and every chance 2 out, not pace of winner between last 2, kept on to 2nd at the last, stayed on run-in but never going pace to trouble easy winner, 2nd of 21, 5l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Settled 3rd, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, last of 3, 24l behind Cause Of Causes (11-10) at Navan 2m hdl hvy in Jan.
Edgardo Sol (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Jumped left, took keen hold and tracked leader on inside, led 3 out, slight lead when went left and lost momentum last, headed soon after, one pace in 3rd final 130 yards, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-6) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Ronaldo Des Mottes (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, ridden after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb, 21 ran.
Starluck (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 8th of 16, 9l behind Dr Livingstone (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (3) std in Jan.
Clerk's Choice (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Always in rear, never dangerous, 3rd of 4, 34l behind Rock On Ruby (11-9) at Doncaster 2m Listed hdl (1) gd in Feb.
Olofi (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway to go mid-division after 5th, ridden and weakened on long run to 2 out, tailed off, 15th of 21, well behind Cause Of Causes (10-13) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
Tennis Cap (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Made all, ridden entering straight and kept on well from before last, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb beating Discoteca (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 24 ran.
Tanerko Emery (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway on long run to 2 out, chased leaders 2 out, went 3rd before mistake last, driven and stayed on to 2nd final 135 yards, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 19, 3 1/2l behind First Avenue (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) hvy.
Ranjaan (FR) 3-1fav (11-4) Tracked leader, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Dr Livingstone (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (3) std in Jan.
Punjabi 20-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never involved, 14th of 21, 42l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Discoteca 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight and no impression on winner in 4th at last, kept on same pace into 2nd run-in, 2nd of 24, 3 1/2l behind Tennis Cap (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb.
It's A Gimme (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division until lost place before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cause Of Causes (10-13) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec, 21 ran.
Abbey Lane (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Held up behind, headway on outside after 4 out, outpaced next, weakened 2 out, 18th of 28, 45l behind Medinas (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs.
Princeton Plains (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, never reached leaders and weakened soon after 2 out, 8th of 21, 17l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Shadow Catcher 20-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, 14th of 28, 32l behind Abbey Lane (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan.
Dan Breen (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Hit 1st, chased leaders, challenged and every chance 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, no impression when outpaced to 3rd flat, 3rd of 21, 5l behind Cause Of Causes (10-13) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
Il Fenomeno (ITY) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed before last, no extra run-in, 5th of 28, 9l behind Abbey Lane (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out to track leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb beating Ultimate (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Manyriverstocross (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, moderate late headway, never involved, 10th of 21, 20l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Claret Cloak (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, never on terms, 13th of 21, 33l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Ted Veale (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway from 3 out, 4th travelling well next, close 2nd at last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 28, 7l behind Abbey Lane (10-8) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy in Jan.
Knight In Purple 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, no extra approaching last, 8th of 13, 21l behind Meganisi (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs.
Caravel (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Tindaro (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Aug, 5 ran.
Kian's Delight 4-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, headway when not fluent 2 out, led last, ridden out, won at Perth 2m ltd hcp hdl (2) sft in Aug beating Absinthe (10-13) by 3l, 10 ran.
Kings Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place quickly on long run to 1st, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Close Touch (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) hvy, 16 ran.