Racecards
16:10 Cheltenham
St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (Class 2)
- 23 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 70y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £45,000 added
- Winner: £26,982
- 2nd: £8,428
- 3rd: £4,212
- 4th: £2,106
- Form 1111-11
- Age 8
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer Jack Barber
- Jockey Mr William Biddick
mistake 1st, prominent, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, no impression before next
- Form 116-721
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer J T R Dreaper
- Jockey Mr M J O'Hare
behind from 7th, struggling 13th, never dangerous, tailed off
- Form 221252
- Age 10
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer G J McKeever
- Jockey Mr Derek O'Connor
led, blundered 12th, joined after 4 out, headed when mistake last, soon ridden and lost place, no extra
- Form 14F-221
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer P Rowley
- Jockey Alex Edwards
chased leaders, 4th and outpaced when ridden after 3 out, rallied last, stayed on to press winner inside final 100 yards, 3rd and held near finish
- Form 0U6P-12
- Age 10
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
towards rear of mid-division, in touch 11th, lost place when hit 17th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 0-51331
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey Mr R P Quinlan
mid-division on outside when pulled up before 9th
- Form 54-9P11
- Age 14
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer J J O'Shea
- Jockey Mr H Crow
never better than mid-division, behind from 10th, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form 12144-5
- Age 10
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Mrs R Loxton
- Jockey Ms Lisa O'Neill
prominent, outpaced after 4 out, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
- Form 78P-281
- Age 10
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer B Pauling
- Jockey Mr D Gittins
always behind, struggling when mistake 13th, tailed off
- Form RR-1R12
- Age 9
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer J T R Dreaper
- Jockey Mr R O Harding
close up on outside, lost place before 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
- Form 324-312
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey Mr M Legg
tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, tailed off
- Form 280-167
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer C J Miller
- Jockey Mr C J Miller
always behind, struggling 13th, tailed off after, pulled up before last
- Form 1183-32
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey Mr D Maxwell
chased leaders to before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
- Form 11471R/
- Age 11
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer D Queally
- Jockey Mr D L Queally
mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure after last, not reach leaders
- Form 1711-12
- Age 12
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer E Bolger
- Jockey Mr J J Codd
held up behind, headway into mid-division after 10th, driven to chase clear leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, rallied on inside last, stayed on well final 100 yards, not reach leaders
- Form 56-3341
- Age 10
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Bryony Frost
tracked leaders, went 3rd after 3 out, challenged on inside after next, ridden to lead last, hard pressed inside final 100 yards, just held on
- Form 213-511
- Age 12
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey Mr B O'Neill
prominent, joined leader after 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, soon lost place, no extra from last
- Form 12-4332
- Age 14
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer P P Turner
- Jockey Miss Lucy Turner
always behind, weakened 5 out, tailed off
- Form 111331
- Age 10
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer Dr Charles Levinson
- Jockey Mr G Levinson
never better than mid-division, towards rear from 10th, tailed off
- Form 121-4F4
- Age 12
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer R Sweeney
- Jockey Mr S Clements
held up behind, some headway before 3 out, never a threat, soon weakened, tailed off
- Form 1-1R311
- Age 7
- Weight 12-0
- Trainer Michael Barry
- Jockey Mr J C Barry
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, behind when fell last
- Form 13-UF12
- Age 9
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer Mrs H Connors
- Jockey Mr T Chatfeild-Roberts
mid-division, lost place and behind from 9th, struggling 13th, tailed off
- Form P/2P7-11
- Age 9
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ms K Walsh
held up behind, headway into mid-division after 10th, outpaced after 3 out, ridden next, rallied on outside last, stayed on to press winner inside final 100 yards, just held
- Form 11-1111
- Age 9
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer S McConville
- Jockey Mr M McConville
NonRunner
Verdict
On The Fringe is bidding for a hat-trick in this and will likely be a short price. He had the perfect prep race at Leopardstown last month and had fellow veteran Paint The Clouds back in third last year, though the latter wasn’t beaten far and won his only race this season at Doncaster. Pacha Du Polder and Aupcharlie were others who were close up 12 months ago but Salsify, the winner in 2012 and 2013, looks held on the form book. Wonderful Charm has won both starts this season and is a Grade 2 winner over fences. Katie Walsh will give him a good ride but it must be significant that Will Biddick, who usually takes the reins, gets off Paul Nicholls’ nine-year-old to maintain his partnership with ASK THE WEATHERMAN. Jack Barber’s charge is very much the dark horse in this but he dispelled any doubts about his ability to handle regulation fences when winning unchallenged at Wincanton and he’s a superstar between the flags. Anseanachai Cliste has won 12 Irish point-to-points but only one of his six starts under Rules.
Formwatch
Ask The Weatherman 4-9fav (11-12) Made virtually all, pecked 1st, clear from 3 out, comfortably, won at Wincanton 3m 1f (6) hvy in Feb beating Rebel Rebellion (12-6) by 6l, 7 ran.
Aupcharlie (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th at 4th, moderate 3rd before straight, pushed along 2 out, improved to challenge between last 2 and led approaching last, soon asserted, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Feb beating Ad Idem (11-4) by 14l, 6 ran.
Balnaslow (IRE) 4-7 (12-2) Ld & disp throughout, wo 3out, ev chance atr 2out, hdd bef last, held, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Home Farm (11-11) at Tyrella 3m gd in Jan.
Barel Of Laughs (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway tracking leaders 7th, 2nd 10th, led next, narrowly headed after 4 out, chased leader, ridden to lead again 3 out until 2 out, led again last, kept on run-in, won at Taunton 2m 7f (6) gd in Jan beating Grandioso (12-6) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Black Thunder (FR) 1-8fav (12-2) Held up towards rear, soon chased leaders, led 4 out, pressed 2 out, ridden after last, kept on and caught post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Premier Portrait (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (5) hvy in Feb.
Buckers Bridge (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Mid-div, 4th 1/2way,prog to 1l ld bef 2out, going best aft 2out, 5l adv last, kow, cosily, won at Belharbour 3m Yielding in Feb beating Home Farm (11-11) by 4l, 11 ran.
Cottage Oak (IRE) 7-4 (12-3) Led to 2; eff 14; led app last; v easy, won at Bangor-on-dee 3m sft in Mar beating Numbercruncher (12-3) by 10l, 8 ran.
Current Event (FR) 5-4fav (12-4) Mid-division, headway into modest 4th 4 out, lost place after next, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 34 3/4l behind Pearlysteps (12-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (3) gd in Apr.
Dolatulo (FR) 3-1jfav (11-10) Made all, clear when came back into view after last, unchallenged (poor visibility), won at Ffos Las 3m (4) sft in Feb beating Night Alliance (12-4) by 20l, 8 ran.
Grand Jesture (IRE) 1-2 (12-2) Prom, mstks 2nd & 7th, 2nd 4out, prog to ld 3out, hdd aftr 2out, no ex bef last, so, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Need To Know (12-2) at Tinahely 3m sft in Feb.
Grand Vision (IRE) Evensfav (12-4) Raced keenly, soon led, reached for 5th, reached for 4 out and soon narrowly headed, chased winner, ridden and rallied 2 out, still every chance last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Pacha Du Polder (12-8) at Bangor 2m 4f (6) sft in Feb.
Lets Get Serious (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2 out (usual 5 out), soon ridden and behind, tailed off final 4f, 7th of 8, dist behind Kilfinichen Bay (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Mendip Express (IRE) 2-9fav (12-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led before 7th, headed 11th, led again after 15th, headed 3 out, no impression last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Mr Mercurial (12-4) at Ludlow 3m (5) sft in Feb.
Minella For Value (IRE) 4-6 (12-2) Ld/disp until 6out, hdd bef 4out, ld again aftr 4out, 2l adv bef last, asserted flat & sow cl home, won at Kildorrery 3m sft in Feb beating Truckin All Night (11-11) by 3l, 9 ran.
On The Fringe (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Chased leader, closer order 12th, on terms 5 out, travelling smoothly from 2 out, ridden and not match winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Foxrock (12-0) at Leopardstown 3m sft in Feb.
Pacha Du Polder (FR) 9-4 (12-8) Tracked leader, led narrowly 4 out, joined from 2 out, pressed last, ridden to assert final 100 yards, won at Bangor 2m 4f (6) sft in Feb beating Grand Vision (12-4) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Paint The Clouds 1-3fav (12-4) Made virtually all, kept on well run-in, driven out, won at Doncaster 3m 2f (6) gd in Feb beating Ardea (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Pentiffic (NZ) 20-1 (12-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 5 out, in 4th before 4 out, kept on well to chase winner run-in, always well held, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Wonderful Charm (12-4) at Haydock 3m (3) gs in Feb.
Premier Portrait (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) With leader early, chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, in 3rd place before last, kept on to lead post, won at Kelso 2m 7f (5) hvy in Feb beating Black Thunder (12-2) by shd, 7 ran.
Salsify (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, closed to track leaders 4 out, moderate 3rd approaching straight, one pace from before last and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 8, 8l behind Foxrock (12-0) at Leopardstown 3m sft in Feb.
Sweet As A Nut (IRE) 4-6 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 4th at 7th, chall 4out & gng well 3out, ld 2out, 2l adv gng best last, sow, won at Tallow 3m sft in Feb beating Minella For Value (12-2) by 5l, 8 ran.
Warden Hill (IRE) 11-4 (12-8) Tracked leader, driven to challenge after 3 out, staying on same pace when hampered last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Carlton Ryan (12-4) at Fakenham 3m (6) gs in Feb.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 4-6fav (12-4) Held up towards rear, went 3rd from 8th, travelling well when switched left before 3 out, led before last, shaken up run-in, ran on, won at Haydock 3m (3) gs in Feb beating Pentiffic (12-4) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Anseanachai Cliste (IRE) 4-5 (11-11) Tr ldr 2nd til disp 3rd, ld 4out, jnd 2out & ld again last, kow run-in,easily, won at Farmaclaffley 3m hvy in Mar beating Infrontofthejudge (11-11) by 3l, 8 ran.