Racecards
14:10 Cheltenham
Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Class 2)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 26y
- Going: Good (Watered)
- Surface: Turf
- £17,000 added
- Winner: £10,635
- 2nd: £3,142
- 3rd: £1,571
- 4th: £785
- Form 40-1141
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer C Byrnes
- Jockey D N Russell
set very slow pace until quickened after 5th, went clear briefly, headed after next, led off last bend, driven flat, headed final 75 yards
- Form 831-111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey S Bowen
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, soon led, headed off last bend, stayed on flat, led again final 75 yards
- Form F/2212-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Ryan Hatch
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, outpaced after next, never lost touch but could never get back on terms
- Form 3-11
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leader, pace quickened after 5th, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, beaten after, stayed on
Verdict
EL BANDIT's victory in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow was a big step up on his earlier form. If he's improved again, he should have too much for Black Warrior, though Charles Byrnes' raider did well to land a competitive handicap at Cork back in August. Colin's Sister almost threw away certain victory at Chepstow with a last-flight blunder but she will have learned from that and looks a nice prospect. The same can be said of Templeross and Pickamix, though this is a big ask early in their hurdling careers.
Formwatch
Black Warrior (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, improved to challenge into straight, on terms 3 out, led between last 2, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp gd in Aug beating Coolmill (10-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
El Bandit (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 4 out, every chance after 2 out, led just after last, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct beating Coo Star Sivola (11-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Templeross (IRE) 8-15fav (10-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gd in Sep beating Rainy City (12-2) by 1 3/4l, 3 ran.
Pickamix 3-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, tracked leaders, pecked 6th, mistake next, led after 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Royal Plaza (11-0) by 3l, 8 ran.
Colin's Sister 2-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, tracked clear leader after next, close up 4 out, led next, driven clear between last 2, ridden out flat, held on, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Queens Well (10-12) by 2l, 9 ran.