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17:20 Cheltenham

Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

  • 30 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 1f
  • Going: Good
  • Surface: Turf
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 4m 1.20s
  • 30 Ran
2
Silk -
11/1

    3
    Silk -
    200/1

      1
      Silk - Dark Green, Yellow cross belts, diabolo on sleeves

      Rigmarole

      27 t CD
      50/1
      • Form 2-16774
      • Age 7
      • Weight 11-12
      • Official Rating 154

      mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last

      2
      Silk - Emerald Green, Yellow chevron, White sleeves, Yellow cap

      Perouse

      27 t CD
      20/1
      • Form P-13632
      • Age 7
      • Weight 11-6
      • Official Rating 148

      mid-division, headway 3 out, every chance approaching last, weakened flat

      3
      Silk - White, large Royal Blue spots, Royal Blue cap

      Geos (FR)

      26 CD
      33/1
      • Form P7-8806
      • Age 10
      • Weight 11-5
      • Official Rating 147

      held up, ridden after 2 out, stayed on flat, never nearer

      4
      Silk - BLACK and PINK diamonds, PINK sleeves and cap

      Marble Arch

      48 p D
      66/1
      • Form 450/P-50
      • Age 9
      • Weight 11-5
      • Official Rating 147

      mid-division, behind from 3 out

      5
      Silk - WHITE, ROYAL BLUE sash, WHITE sleeves, RED armlets, RED cap
      9/1
      • Form 390-182
      • Age 5
      • Weight 11-3
      • Official Rating 145

      in touch, hit 1st, ridden and weakened after 2 out

      6
      Silk - Black, white disc, white sleeves, black spots, black cap, white spots
      10/1
      • Form 16-7313
      • Age 5
      • Weight 11-1
      • Official Rating 143

      held up in touch, took closer order 3 out, weakened last

      7
      Silk - YELLOW, MAROON and YELLOW hooped sleeves, quartered cap

      Copeland

      26 p CD
      40/1
      • Form 605502
      • Age 10
      • Weight 10-13
      • Official Rating 141

      in touch, pushed along after 3rd, chased leader after 3 out until after 2 out, weakened approaching last

      8
      Silk - BLACK, red spots, black cap, white spots
      20/1
      • Form 636U1P
      • Age 7
      • Weight 10-9
      • Official Rating 137

      held up, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous

      9
      Silk - WHITE, black stars, black sleeves, white cap

      Risky Reef

      398 D
      33/1
      • Form 211/440-
      • Age 8
      • Weight 10-8
      • Official Rating 136

      held up, headway going well approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last

      10
      Silk - Emerald Green, Yellow star, hooped sleeves

      Silvertown

      79 D
      33/1
      • Form PP-P211
      • Age 10
      • Weight 10-8
      • Official Rating 136

      never on terms

      11
      Silk - Purple, Yellow stripe, striped cap
      • Form 434FF1
      • Age 8
      • Weight 10-7
      • Official Rating 135

      in touch until approaching 5th

      12
      Silk - Black and White diamonds
      • Form 949254
      • Age 8
      • Weight 10-7
      • Official Rating 135

      never on terms

      13
      Silk - Purple, Pink sleeves, Green cap
      • Form 4F2114
      • Age 7
      • Weight 10-6
      • Official Rating 134

      mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, one pace run-in

      14
      Silk - Red, purple and red check sleeves

      Demi Beau

      349 CD
      16/1
      • Form 44/510F-
      • Age 7
      • Weight 10-5
      • Official Rating 133

      prominent until after 3 out

      15
      Silk - Black and Yellow (quartered), diabolo on sleeves, Yellow cap

      Grave Doubts

      132 t CD
      50/1
      • Form 8139-F8
      • Age 9
      • Weight 10-5
      • Official Rating 133

      always towards rear

      16
      Silk - Red, Pink sleeves and cap

      Bongo Fury (FR)

      34 v CDD
      8/1
      • Form 95U112
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-5
      • Official Rating 133

      chased leaders until 3 out

      17
      Silk - Royal blue, black seams, quartered cap
      40/1
      • Form 43-1150
      • Age 7
      • Weight 10-5
      • Official Rating 133

      mid-division, weakened 5th

      18
      Silk - RED, WHITE chevron and armlets, striped cap
      100/1
      • Form 661-108
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-3
      • Official Rating 131

      led 2nd, mistake 4th, headed and hampered approaching last, weakened quickly

      19
      Silk - PURPLE, PURPLE and YELLOW check sleeves, quartered cap
      14/1
      • Form 315-
      • Age 8
      • Weight 10-2
      • Official Rating 130

      held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, driven clear approaching last, hit last, soon headed, not recover

      20
      Silk - Dark Blue, Light Blue Cross of Lorraine, Red cap, Light Blue star
      50/1
      • Form 2600U3
      • Age 8
      • Weight 10-1
      • Official Rating 129

      in touch, chased leader 5th until after 3 out, weakened 2 out

      21
      Silk - Pink, White striped sleeves, White cap
      20/1
      • Form 150640
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      behind, in last position 3 out, still plenty to do approaching last, ran on flat, nearest finish

      22
      Silk - BLACK, WHITE hoop, WHITE cap
      • Form P3-3FF1
      • Age 8
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      led to 2nd, chased leader, mistake 3rd, lost 2nd 5th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 2 out

      23
      Silk - Red, Yellow chevrons and armlets
      • Form 111003
      • Age 5
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      held up, headway approaching 2 out, no impression from last

      24
      Silk - Yellow, Red diamond, Red and Royal Blue quartered cap
      9/2
      • Form 0-22F81
      • Age 8
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      held up in rear, not fluent 4th, effort approaching 2 out, never dangerous

      25
      Silk - Black and White check, White sleeves, Black armlets
      66/1
      • Form 733239
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      mid-division, stayed on approaching last, never near leaders

      26
      Silk - WHITE, BROWN hoops, armlets and quartered cap

      Borora

      13 D
      200/1
      • Form 113240
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      held up, driven along and still in rear approaching 2 out, rapid headway to hold every chance approaching last, one pace flat

      27
      Silk - Red, White sleeves, Red cap, White star

      Stance

      6 D
      11/1
      • Form 41-1118
      • Age 6
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, every chance after last, kept on flat but not pace of winner

      28
      Silk - Red, Red and Emerald Green chevrons on sleeves, Emerald Green cap, Red diamond
      50/1
      • Form 14-2321
      • Age 7
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      held up in touch, took closer order after 2nd, no impression approaching 2 out

      29
      Silk - EMERALD GREEN, YELLOW stars, striped sleeves, ROYAL BLUE and YELLOW striped cap
      200/1
      • Form 27413
      • Age 5
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      prominent until weakened before 3 out

      30
      Silk - ROYAL BLUE, EMERALD GREEN sleeves, WHITE cap, EMERALD GREEN spots
      16/1
      • Form 660048
      • Age 5
      • Weight 10-0
      • Official Rating 128

      held up, steady headway approaching 2 out, good progress to track leaders when not clear run and switched right approaching last, led soon after last, ridden and ran on well flat

      Previous results

      In depth

      Verdict

      Well, where do we start with this 30-runner traditional finale to another great Festival meeting and, as we will discuss, any number can be considered, but we will side with Beechcourt. This is tricky. Rigmarole is well handicapped if at his best, but he's become disappointing and Ruby Walsh, who won this race last year, has opted to ride Monte Cinto. His handicap form is solid so he makes it onto the list of possibles, and if you give him a chance then the progressive Crossbow Creek has to be afforded respect too, as they have comparable form. Martin Pipe's Fontanesi is well-weighted if he can turn the clock back, although Copeland, who looked a bit more like his old self last time, might be a stronger option. Pipe also runs Tamarinbleu, whose form with King Revo is very likeable, and they are both capable of giving you a good shout, while the consistent Dancing Pearl, given that she is due to go up by five pounds shortly, has also to be respected. Stance is also conceivably well weighted base on future marks, although you will have to forgive him a modest Imperial Cup run six days ago. Beechcourt represents solid Irish form, and Castleshane has a good run in him, but the handicapper seems to have the edge on him. Nicky Henderson's Grande Jete is a possible improver, while Bongo Fury has performed well in competitive handicaps this season, including when runner-up to Essex in the totesport Hurdle. Lenny Lungo's Silvertown is on the up, and a six pound rise for his latest win should not stop him from being competitive. The 2002 Champion Hurdle runner-up can't be ruled out on the basis of that form, although he has been injury-prone since, while Geos, fourth in that same Championship contest, is another that could feature given a rejuvenation. Finally, the Christmas Hurdle third and Kingwell Hurdle runner-up, Perouse, has also to be respected but, for today in what is, as we say, a competitive race, we will side with Beechcourt, although it's very tricky affair.

      Formwatch

      Rigmarole 4-1 Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 19l behind Inglis Drever at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.

      Perouse 10-1 Prominent, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, challenged and every chance last, ran on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Inglis Drever at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.

      Geos (FR) 9-2 Held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 20l behind Blue Canyon at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.

      Marble Arch 50-1 Held up towards rear, rapid headway to chase leaders and hit 3 out, weakened quickly, 10th of 11, well behind Patriarch Express at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.

      Tamarinbleu (FR) 2-1fav Tracked leader, ridden to dispute lead 3 out, quickened approaching 2 out, headed before last, soon one pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Kalca Mome at Warwick 2m hcp hdl (B) hvy in Feb.

      King Revo (IRE) 14-1 In touch, headway after 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 23, 5l behind Tamarinbleu at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Jan.

      Copeland 22-1 Tracked leaders but raced wide, led 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Blue Canyon at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.

      Balapour (IRE) 10-1 Held up, not fluent early, trailing when pulled up 4 out in race won by Lotomore Lad at Navan 3m nov hcp chs sft, 13 ran.

      Risky Reef 11-1 Held up towards rear, headway 4th, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 12th of 25, 19l behind Geos at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Feb '04.

      Silvertown 9-2 Made all, hit 5th, ridden and hit last, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gf in Dec beating Brooklyn's Gold by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.

      Fool On The Hill 7-4fav Tracked leaders, led 9th, clear approaching 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (E) gd beating Cumbrian Knight by 15l, 7 ran.

      Crossbow Creek 10-1 Held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, challenged on inner 2 out, one pace before last, 4th of 19, 10l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.

      Demi Beau 25-1 Chased leaders, 2nd and every chance when fell at the last in race won by Puck Out at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr, 19 ran.

      Grave Doubts 20-1 Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, 45l behind Perouse at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.

      Bongo Fury (FR) 33-1 Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed last, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 25, 3l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.

      Nawamees (IRE) 50-1 Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 17th of 25, 18l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.

      Calatagan (IRE) 20-1 Led until headed approaching 2 out, weakened rapidly, 8th of 11, 17l behind Crossbow Creek at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan.

      Grande Jete (SAF) 11-8fav Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, one pace, 5th of 10, 34l behind Dictum at Ascot 2m nov hdl (D) hvy in Jan '04.

      Castleshane (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leader, left in lead 4th, ridden and headed after 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Rob Leach at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Feb.

      Desert Air (JPN) 33-1 Held up, never near leaders, 15th of 25, 11l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.

      Another Dude (IRE) 14-1 Always prominent, ridden after 3 out, not fluent last, soon led, kept on, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Feb beating Brave Effect by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.

      Monte Cinto (FR) 14-1 Held up in mid-division, headway from 3 out, ridden and close up 2 out, no extra and hit last, 3rd of 19, 10l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.

      Beechcourt 12-1 Held up, headway into 7th 3 out, close up after 2 out, led approaching last, soon ridden clear, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-135 sft in Feb beating Allez Petit Luis by 2l, 18 ran.

      McBain (USA) 20-1 Chased leader, hard ridden approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, 9th of 19, 21l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.

      Borora 20-1 Mid-division, ridden after 4th, soon behind, 13th of 21, 26l behind Stance at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs.

      Stance 6-1 In touch, hard driven before 2 out, soon beaten, 8th of 19, 20l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.

      Dancing Pearl 5-2fav In touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, led run-in, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd beating Norma Hill by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.

      Its Crucial (IRE) 9-2 Led, driven before 2 out, headed before last, no chance with winner and hung left under pressure run-in, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Sea Captain at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.

      Fontanesi (IRE) 20-1 Led to 3rd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 22l behind Broke Road at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Feb.