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14:50 Cheltenham

Thomas Pink Gold Cup Chase (Showcase Handicap) (Class A)

  • 15 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 4f 110y
  • Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 5m 11.50s
  • 15 Ran
1
Silk - Maroon and Light Blue stripes, Light Blue sleeves, hooped cap
  • Form 2/1210P-
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-12

prominent, ridden and slightly lost place 11th, stayed on again from 2 out, not reach leaders

2
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, EMERALD GREEN sleeves, WHITE cap, EMERALD GREEN spots
16/1
  • Form 3/1402P-
  • Age 9
  • Weight 11-9

held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, led after next, driven approaching last, stayed on well flat

3
Silk - Red, Yellow diamond and sleeves, Yellow cap, Red diamond
  • Form 316420-
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-5

mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 11th

4
Silk - BLACK and ORANGE check, BLACK sleeves, ORANGE armlets, BLACK cap
33/1
  • Form 1P0U2-3
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-3

held up, steady headway from 11th, ridden and no extra from 2 out

5
Silk - Dark Green, Yellow disc, hooped cap
25/1
  • Form 112121-
  • Age 5
  • Weight 10-9

took keen hold, prominent, challenged 3 out, chased winner after next, not quicken under pressure approaching last

6
Silk - Emerald Green, Red Cross of Lorraine, Green sleeves, Red stars, Red cap, Green spots
  • Form 22131-5
  • Age 10
  • Weight 10-9

behind, not fluent 2nd, ridden from 12th, no chance with blundered badly and fell 3 out

7
Silk - Royal Blue and White stripes, White sleeves, striped cap
  • Form 36622-P
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-6

held up, ridden and beaten when slightly hampered 2 out

8
Silk - Red, Royal Blue chevron, halved sleeves, Red and Royal Blue quartered cap

Red Ark

224
16/1
  • Form 01100U-
  • Age 9
  • Weight 10-4

close up until ridden and weakened from 4 out

9
Silk - YELLOW, PURPLE hoops and armlets, hooped cap
20/1
  • Form 232-PP2
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-2

led, ridden 3 out, headed after next, soon weakened

10
Silk - Red, Black sash, Black and Red diabolo on sleeves

Wave Rock

20 b
16/1
  • Form 552-125
  • Age 7
  • Weight 10-2

tracked leaders, pressing leader and every chance when not fluent 3 out, hard driven and beaten when blundered last

11
Silk - Pink, White striped sleeves, White cap
2/1
  • Form 25025-1
  • Age 6
  • Weight 10-1

jumped poorly in rear, blundered and rider lost irons 8th, blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

12
Silk - Royal Blue, Emerald Green stars, Royal Blue sleeves, Emerald Green diamonds
14/1
  • Form 64/253P-
  • Age 11
  • Weight 10-0

ridden and weakened from 4 out

13
Silk - Black, Vermilion striped sleeves
  • Form 031/41-1
  • Age 8
  • Weight 10-0

chased leader, ridden and losing place when blundered and fell 2 out

14
Silk - DARK GREEN and ORANGE (quartered), WHITE sleeves and cap
33/1
  • Form 12041-6
  • Age 7
  • Weight 10-0

always behind, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out

15
Silk - Emerald Green, Orange hoops, Yellow cap
  • Form 331F2-4
  • Age 7
  • Weight 10-0

held up in rear, beaten when blundered 3 out, hampered next

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

Martin Pipe has won this five times in recent years including with Lady Cricket in 2000 and Shooting Light 12 months ago. This year the master of Nicholashayne is represented by three of the 15 runners, Cyfor Malta, Exit Swinger and Chicuelo. The first mentioned won this in 1998 but has only won twice since and is best left alone, as is Exit Swinger, who races off a 17lb higher mark than when runner-up last season. Chicuelo has been at the top of the bookmakers ante post lists since betting on the contest first opened and, with Tony McCoy having been on a starvation diet for the last week to do 10st 1lb, he has to be the TEAMtalk selection. An impressive winner on his debut for Martin Pipe, since leaving the Ian Williams stable, when beating Star Jack by five lengths (value for further) the French import still appears well treated even off a 16lb higher mark. Henrietta Knight's pair Foly Pleasant and Perfect Fellow warrant respect against their former stable companion, while the Willie Mullins-trained Its Time For A Win looks best of the Irish contingent. However, it will be a surprise if Martin Pipe does not add to his impressive tally of victories in this event and the favourite should win.