Racecards
16:10 Chepstow
Betfred For The Biggest Bonuses At Cheltenham Amateur Riders' Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 202131
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Mr T J Malone
held up, headway after 8th, with leaders 4 out, led 3 out easily
Alfa Sunrise
26- Form 0-56420
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Buckler
- Jockey Mr N Harris
led after 1st, headed approaching 4 out, held 4th when fell last
Avadi (IRE)
64- Form 0-406
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey Mr R Harding
in touch, headway 6th to track leader, with leaders 4 out, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next
Back In The Game
100- Form 0P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss Z Davison
- Jockey Gemma Gracey-Davison
led 1st, settled in touch, weakened rapidly after 8th
Hi Tech
3- Form 654P-55
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey Dr P Pritchard
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, one pace next
- Form 216-0P0
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Ford
- Jockey Miss E J Jones
behind, headway after 8th, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on flat
- Form 62-50
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey Mr T Hampton
held up in touch, with leaders 4 out, soon no chance with winner
- Form 431P00
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer C Gray
- Jockey Miss J Buck
with leader 5th, weakened approaching 4 out
Wansford Lady
111- Form 0/0
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer A Jones
- Jockey Mr Wayne Lewis
joined the field at 5th, but always behind
Verdict
Lotus des Picton gets the call here over Charm Offensive, Alfa Sunrise and Hi Tech. The selection has won two of his last three races, winning from a mark of 114 last time. The others are going to have to improve on what they have so far shown to get past him here. Looking at the others. Charm Offensive would have claims if getting back to the level of form that saw her win at Towcester in November. True Lover showed ability in France but has yet to repeat it in this country and has a bit to find with Alfa Sunrise based on their Newbury runs in January. On the back of that effort, though, the latter can be given a squeak. Rendari won a bumper in Ireland in 2002 but has yet to show much over hurdles in this country. Hi Tech was noted staying on at Kempton last time on his first try at this trip. He could be very interesting now in what looks to be a less-competitive affair. Avadi has shown promise in bumpers and hurdles so it would not entirely be a surprise to see this gelded son of Un Desperado go well. However, the one to beat looks to be Lotus des Pictons, and he gets the vote.