Racecards
15:35 Cheltenham
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 87y
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £26,000 added
- Winner: £14,807
- 2nd: £5,556
- 3rd: £2,782
- 4th: £1,386
- Form 311212
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
not always fluent and jumped left at times, chased clear leader (winner) from 1st, lost 2nd 4th, weakened after 2 out
- Form 2/7F11-2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
held up, chased clear leader (winner) 4th, still going well from 3 out until lost 2nd after 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 3-31114
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer A M Hales
- Jockey Harry Bannister
jumped left, made all, soon well clear, mistake 2 out, reduced lead and 4 lengths ahead last, edged right flat, kept finding, stayed on
- Form 22214-U
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
keen early, held up, not fluent 3rd, went 3rd from final bend, no impression, mistake and well held last
- Form 7-4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
2nd when not fluent 1st, lost place before 3rd, tailed off from 4 out
- Form 3114-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up in rear, went 4th from 3rd, still going well from 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, closed and 4 lengths down last, ridden flat, unable to close gap
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Though no match for McFabulous in a Grade 2 at Chepstow last time, Courtandbould keeps improving and looks sure to be thereabouts again here. Paul Nicholls trains McFabulous, however, so should have a line on FIDELIO VALLIS, who is also still heading in the right direction and may have completed the hat-trick in a Listed race at Kempton on his return to action had he not pulled hard in the early stages. For Pleasure is easily held on that form. Third Time Lucki is upped in class but was a smart performer in bumpers last season and has won both hurdle starts in a canter. Jungle Junction was unlucky at Navan last week but will need to up his game.
Formwatch
Courtandbould (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Slight lead until before 3rd, chased leader until in front again 4th until after 4 out, in front again before next, headed 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Mcfabulous (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct.
Fidelio Vallis (FR) 13-8 (11-0) Tracked clear leader, closed 5th, left in lead bend approaching 2 out, ridden and joined last, headed run in, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Mrs Hyde (10-7) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
For Pleasure (IRE) 7-5fav (11-0) Keen led and soon clear, hung left and reduced lead 5th, hung badly left bend approaching 2 out, soon headed and beaten, 4th of 5, 31 3/4l behind Mrs Hyde (10-7) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Jungle Junction (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Not fluent and bumped 1st and unseated rider, at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Lessankan (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Midfield, outpaced and in rear approaching 3 out, no impression, 4th of 6, 30l behind Faivoir (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Third Time Lucki (IRE) 2-7fav (11-4) Chased leaders, led and not fluent 2 out, shaken up flat, stayed on, won at Wetherby 2m (3) gs in Oct beating Captain Biggles (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.