Racecards
13:30 Haydock Park
Star Sports Cheltenham Preview Evening Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 203y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £32,000 added
- Winner: £18,224
- 2nd: £6,838
- 3rd: £3,424
- 4th: £1,706
- Form U210-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leaders, led 4th, pushed along and headed last, kept on
- Form 4153-31
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 3 out, pulled up before last
- Form 113-151
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leader, pushed along before 4 out, weakened from 3 out
- Form 221-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey B S Hughes
held up in touch, headway 5 out, went 2nd from 4 out, pushed along to lead last, kept on
- Form 11/2F2-P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 146
led, blundered 3rd, headed 4th, tracked leaders, lost place halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
- Form 824-262
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
in rear, struggling halfway, tailed off
Verdict
Politologue made all in this grade at Ascot last month and won at this track on his debut over the larger obstacles. The drop in distance shouldn’t be a problem but he does have to concede weight to some potentially useful rivals. Bun Doran improved on his run at Uttoxeter to win easily at Newcastle. Solatentif wasn’t disgraced behind Baron Alco at Plumpton and the third has won since while Waiting Patiently is two from two over fences, though takes a big step up today. ITS’AFREEBEE burst the bubble of Cole Harden at Wetherby having disappointed at Cheltenham the time before. He has a bit to find with Politologue on collateral form but could be the value if he reproduces his best.
Formwatch
Politologue (FR) 10-11fav (11-6) Jumped boldly, made all, clear 8th until given breather 12th, drew away again after 3 out, pushed along approaching last, reduced lead and ridden out towards finish but unchallenged, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec beating Rock The Kasbah (11-6) by 4l, 4 ran.
Bun Doran (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Chased leaders, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Ash Park (11-10) by 5l, 7 ran.
Its'afreebee (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) With leader, led 5th, headed after 7th, led again 9th, left clear after 4 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m 3f (3) gs in Dec beating Cole Harden (11-0) by 7l, 4 ran.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led travelling well 2 out, shaken up and quickened clear run-in, won at Newcastle 2m (3) sft in Dec beating Forest Bihan (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Maximiser (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 6th, weakened from 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Newbury 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Solatentif (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked clear leading pair, trying to close when left 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in but never able to challenge, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Baron Alco (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Jan.