Racecards
15:00 Cheltenham
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 56y
- Going: Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £32,000 added
- Winner: £18,006
- 2nd: £6,784
- 3rd: £3,395
- 4th: £1,696
- Form 231-321
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
chased leaders, outpaced when switched right after 2 out, not much room and switched left before last, left pressing for 2nd from last but no chance with winner
- Form 1-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
chased leaders, went 2nd off last bend, challenging when left well clear last
- Form 1/14-14
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 140
led, not fluent 7th, pressed when fell last
- Form 111
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer Ruth Jefferson
- Jockey L P Aspell
tracked leader, lost 2nd off last bend, soon edged right, left pressing for 2nd from last but no chance with winner
- Form 4373
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey D A Jacob
held up in rear, mistake 1st and 6th, outpaced from 2 out, left pressing for 2nd briefly last
- Form 152621
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
NonRunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Birchdale’s Newbury victory has been franked and he could be anything. He will need more here to double his tally under Rules but connections should no where they stand with Brewin'upastorm through the unbeaten Champ. JARVEYS PLATE was second to a subsequent Grade 1 winner here last month and bolted up in a Listed race over track and trip at the start of this month. He may be good enough to give 5lb to his rivals as Not That Fuisse already looks exposed. Buster Valentine looks a promising sort but may find this test coming too soon in his blossoming career.
Formwatch
Jarveys Plate (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, led next, clear last, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan beating I Can't Explain (11-0) by 13l, 7 ran.
Birchdale (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 6th, led 2 out, edged left last, went clear flat, readily, won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Clarendon Street (11-0) by 4l, 17 ran.
Brewin'upastorm (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in rear but in touch and keen, headway tracking leaders before 2 out, 4th and no extra from last, kept on towards finish, 4th of 7, 4l behind Champ (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Buster Valentine (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Held up in touch, took closer order 5th, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, challenged when mistake last, held on well, won at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec beating Informateur (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
The Wolf (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside when mistake 2 out, kept on into 3rd towards finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 16, 5 3/4l behind Champagne Platinum (11-5) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair and travelled well, switched left before 2 out, led approaching last, soon joined, ran on to assert last 100 yards, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Style De Garde (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.