Racecards
15:00 Cheltenham
Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £30,000 added
- Winner: £17,085
- 2nd: £6,411
- 3rd: £3,210
- 4th: £1,599
- Form 711
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey Lizzie Kelly
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed after next, soon ridden, no chance with front pair in clear 3rd between last 2
- Form 2-121U5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey Ian Popham
led or disputed lead on outside until ridden and lost place after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
- Form 2P1211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey A P McCoy
led or disputed lead until lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
- Form F111F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up behind in touch, smooth headway on outside after 3 out, swithched inside and every chance approaching last, soon ridden, kept on, held final 110 yards
- Form 11-111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
tracked leaders, headway after 3 out, led after next, ridden before last, stayed on well under pressure flat
- Form 1-16242
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey J E Moore
prominent on inside, ridden and weakened 2 out, tailed off
- Form 1-P283F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey Conor Shoemark
Nonrunner
Verdict
Lizzie Kelly gave AUBUSSON a superb ride here at the start of the month, gradually winding up the pace and galloping strongly up the hill to beat Regal Diamond by just over two lengths. He looks a very nice prospect and the 7lb claimer can enjoy the biggest success of her short career in this even though she can't use her allowance. Rathvinden was already struggling when falling at Warwick two weeks ago in a race in which Creepy finished tailed off. Both have a bit to prove now while Madness Light steps up in class. Red Sherlock has won both starts over hurdles and, though the form is nothing special, he is open to plenty of further improvement.
Formwatch
Aubusson (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 7th, led before 3 out, edged left flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft beating Regal Diamond (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Creepy (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led until 8th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 8, 49l behind Deputy Dan (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy.
Madness Light (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, took keen hold early stages, led approaching 2 out, edged left flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec beating Flicka Williams (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Rathvinden (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Held up, not fluent and closed from 7th, stumbled next, close 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Deputy Dan (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy, 8 ran.
Red Sherlock 1-6fav (11-8) Made all, went left 2 out, drew 4 lengths clear on bit when went left again last, unextended, won at Wetherby 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft beating Bonnet's Vino (10-10) by 4l, 6 ran.
Regal Diamond (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Led, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, headed 4th, lost place after 2 out, rallied and every chance approaching last, stayed on flat, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Aubusson (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
Owen Na View (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led after 1st, tracked leader, left in lead 6th, hard pressed when fell 2 out, in a race won by Algernon Pazham (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) gs in Dec, 7 ran.