Skip to content

Racecards

12:55 Cheltenham

Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Hurdle (Class A )

  • 10 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 4f 110y
  • Going: Good to Soft
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 5m 9.90s
  • 10 Ran
1
Silk - Dark Blue, Yellow stripe, check cap
14/1
  • Form 11121
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-12

tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in

2
Silk - BLACK and YELLOW diamonds, checked sleeves, YELLOW cap
7/4
  • Form 03-4111
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 137

tracked leader, pushed along after 3 out, chased winner from next, stayed on same pace before last

3
Silk - WHITE, emerald green stars on sleeves, emerald green stars on cap
  • Form FP41F1
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 105

led to 2 out, weakened rapidly

4
Silk - Purple, Grey hooped sleeves

Ladalko (FR)

31 DBF
9/2
  • Form F22-212
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-12
  • Official Rating 135

held up, headway 3 out to chase leading pair after 2 out, weakened before last

5
Silk - Grey, Orange hoops, sleeves and cap
10/1
  • Form 11F621
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-12

held up in mid-division, blundered 6th, ridden and no impression from 3 out

6
Silk - Yellow, dark blue stripe
9/1
  • Form 111110
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-9
  • Official Rating 130

held up in rear, ridden and struggling from 3 out

7
Silk - White, Mauve stripe, striped cap
100/1
  • Form 314103
  • Age 5
  • Weight 11-5
  • Official Rating 105

in touch, hit 6th, weakened soon after 3 out

8
Silk - Black and Beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, Beige cap
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-5

keen, held up in rear, steady headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd before last, one pace run-in (will improve)

9
Silk - EMERALD GREEN, WHITE stars, EMERALD GREEN cap, WHITE star
33/1
  • Form 31/2024
  • Age 7
  • Weight 11-5
  • Official Rating 121

chased leaders until weakened before 2 out

10
Silk - Dark Blue and Emerald Green stripes, Red cap, Dark Blue star
9/2
  • Form 113212
  • Age 7
  • Weight 10-12
  • Official Rating 126

held up last, not fluent 4th, stayed on under pressure after 2 out to press for 3rd before last, weakened and no impression run-in

In depth

Verdict

This is a fantastic start to a fantastic day of racing at Cheltenham with Brewster, Ladalko, Lady Zephyr, Ambobo, Royal Hector and Moulin Riche all given chances but the vote goes to Lady Zephyr. Brewster comes here as a very progressive type, a point that was franked by virtue of his length-and-three-quarter defeat of previous Grade 2 scorer Ladalko, who reopposes on the same terms here, in Newbury's Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last time. In his previous race, Ladalko had Lady Zephyr two lengths away in third, but Nigel Twiston-Davies' mare is now seven pounds better off at the weights. Consequently, the mare must be granted all due respect, as must Brewster who, having already won over course and distance, will not fear this track. Martin Pipe's multiple winner, Royal Hector, has already proven himself useful and has earned his place in the line-up, while Irish raider Eurochancer displayed good qualities to score at Navan last time, but this looks a step up today, and it is very interesting to see Howard Johnson's Mephisto, who won the Ebor in August, pitched in at the deep end on his hurdling debut. Add into the mix the fact that the French raiders Ambobo and Moulin Riche come here with good reputations then you can see why we feel we have a race to savour. As such, it is hard to be dogmatic in naming the winner but, given her weight pull, we will side with Lady Zephyr.