Racecards
14:35 Cheltenham
European Breeders' Fund/Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Mares' Novices' Chase Finale (Listed Handicap) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £25,000 added
- Winner: £14,068
- 2nd: £5,300
- 3rd: £2,652
- 4th: £1,325
- Form 731111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer H Fry
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leaders, not fluent 10th or 4 out, pushed along next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
- Form F-11225
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Jamie Snowden
- Jockey T J O'Brien
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, no impression next
- Form 224313
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey R Johnson
held up in rear, behind from 12th, tailed off
- Form 2FF1P5
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer T Symonds
- Jockey Alain Cawley
led, mistake 1st, headed after 12th, led again 2 out, ridden before last, edged right and headed towards finish
- Form 2-25221
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
held up, headway 13th, challenged 2 out, not fluent last, driven and edged right flat, led towards finish
- Form 81U411
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer A J Honeyball
- Jockey Charlie Huxley
held up, took keen hold, in touch when mistake and lost ground on leaders 12th, closed and 5 lengths off pace when fell 3 out
- Form 610575
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer P Henderson
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked leader, challenged 8th, led after 12th, not fluent and headed 2 out, no extra flat
- Form U1431P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer A J Honeyball
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Violin Davis appears to go from strength-to-strength but looked a fortunate winner at Taunton earlier this month. She may struggle to complete the five-timer as she has to concede 14lb to TARA ROSE, who was just over a length behind when only receiving 6lb at Bangor in February and has won at that track since. Marie Des Anges also arrives in good form after victories at Wetherby and Newbury, but Jackies Solitaire was never travelling and pulled up at Ascot 11 days ago while Ixora and Great Oak are returning from a break. Valmari's jumping is a concern around here and this may be too tough for Lucy's Legend.
Formwatch
Violin Davis (FR) 10-3fav (11-7) Chased leaders, blundered 7th, led after 10th, mistake and headed 2 out, chased leader, disputing 2 lengths 2nd when left clear at the last, idled flat, held on, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf beating Qianshan Leader (11-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Ixora (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistakes 5th and 7th, soon ridden and lost place, behind 11th, tailed off, 5th of 7, 44l behind Carlito Brigante (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs in Oct.
Great Oak (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden early straight and no impression last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Court Jester (10-4) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Valmari (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Led, headed 3rd until led again next, blundered and headed soon after after 6th and reminders, chased leader until ridden 4 out, lost 3rd and weakened approaching 3 out, no chance when blundered last, 5th of 6, 41l behind Prospect Wells (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Tara Rose 11-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, hit 3 out, headway under pressure before next, led last, ridden clear flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Kykate (11-11) by 5l, 6 ran.
Marie Des Anges (FR) 6-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th or 5 out, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, clear before being steadied into last, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar beating Red Rouble (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Lucy's Legend (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 7th, tailed off, 5th of 8, 38l behind Mister Matt (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Jackies Solitaire 11-2 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Fairy Rath (10-1) at Ascot 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd, 9 ran.