Racecards
13:20 Chepstow
Totepool Persian War Novices' Hurdle (grade 2) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £30,000 added
- Form F2411-P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey L Treadwell
held up, pushed along and weakened 7th, soon in rear, tailed off when hit last
- Form 1U1-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, not fluent 6th, headway into 3rd after 7th, hit 4 out, soon ridden and struggling, well beaten when hit 2 out
- Form 3110-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Karen McLintock
- Jockey R Johnson
took keen hold, mistake 1st, held up, lost touch 5th, soon well behind, tailed off
Dream Garden
224- Form 1/16126-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C C Bealby
- Jockey T Messenger
chased leader until after 7th, soon weakened and struggling in rear, tailed off
- Form 1211-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey N D Fehily
led, clear after 5th, reduced lead and not fluent 7th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before when mistake last, no chance with winner
- Form 63326-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey D A Jacob
tracked leaders, closed to track leader after 7th, hit 3 out, challenged and hit 2 out, led before last, soon clear and stayed on strongly
Verdict
REVE DE SIVOLA is given the vote here to pick up where he left off last season; the well-touted Aiteen Thirtythree may prove to be the biggest danger. With an official rating of 143, it is likely that we will see Nick Williams' gelding in some top races this season. His gallant sixth to Zaynar in the Triumph Hurdle when last seen is easily the best piece of form on offer and if he gets home over this longer trip (plenty of stamina on the dams side of his pedigree) then he must be hard to beat. Any victory for Aiteen Thirtythree would have an impact on a Cheltenham market. This former point-to-pointer is being touted as one of the most exciting novices in the yard and he could easily be bound for the three mile race come March. His trainer won this last year with Hell's Bay. Pterodactyal went out with a whimper on his final start at Haydock when last seen however prior to that he had been flying; he is not sure to get this trip on pedigree and looks up against it. Frascati Park comes here chasing a hat-trick and faces his stiffest task by some way. This Bach gelding has followed Carl Llewellyn to Naunton and looks an interesting contender on his hurdling debut. The chaser Dream Garden and the talented bumper horse Bygones Of Bird complete the field, with the latter of more interest on his hurdling bow, however it is the proven Reve De Sivola who should relish this longer trip and is nominated accordingly.
Formwatch
Pterodactyl (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Prominent, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Joe Jo Star (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May, 24 ran.
Aiteen Thirtythree (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Made all, challenged throughout final furlong, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Qroktou (11-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Bygones of Brid (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division until 7f out, 23rd of 24, well behind Dunguib (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Dream Garden 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, chasing leaders from 8th, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 14th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Mar.
Frascati Park (IRE) 6-5fav (11-7) Made all, hung right from over 2f out, rider lost whip soon after, ran on, won at Stratford 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Divy (10-8) by nk, 14 ran.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along when not much room and stumbled on bend approaching last, soon no impression, one pace, 6th of 18, 11l behind Zaynar (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.