Cheltenham 10 December 2016

Going: Good to Soft (Good in places)
 
 
Rain

Forecast: Rain
Temperature: 4.3° - 12.2°
Rainfall: 8.15mm
Wind: 3.8 mph W

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

12:05 Cheltenham (Class 2) (3YO only)

Jcb Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle

2m 179y

Winner £12,512 - 5 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Defi Du Seuil looks sure to be popular in the market and he is the one they all have to beat. That said, he is likely to go off at a very short price, the race he won he last month rather fell apart and the second only brought modest form into that race. Similar comments apply to the horses that DOMPERIGNON DU LYS beat at Newcastle but the market may underestimate that form and Defi Du Seuil could be over estimated simply because his win was at this venue. Coeur de Lion cannot be discounted as a testing 2m should suit him.

2

12:40 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Ryman Novices' Chase

2m 4f 166y

Winner £15,640 - 6 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Whisper was by far the best of these over hurdles in his pomp and hopefully he can bounce back to form on his seasonal/chasing debut. However, it must be a concern the way he performed in three starts last term and there are one or two at least who make more appeal this afternoon. Sizing Tennessee only found exciting prospect O O Seven too good on his chasing debut on the old course here last month and he looks sure to give another good account on what is only his second start for Colin Tizzard, but DIFFERENT GRAVEY rates the one to beat. The 160-rated hurdler was mightily impressive when making a winning debut over fences at Ascot and there looks to be a lot more to come from the lightly-raced six-year-old. Baron Alco is expected to cut out the running and should put up a good show if his jumping holds up.

3

13:15 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Raymond Mould Handicap Chase

2m 62y

Winner £18,768 - 11 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Vaniteux is likely to be a warm order for this contest after a pleasing reappearance third at Ascot last month but he wasn't as fluent as usual and that would be a concern in this event. Cold March represents a trainer who does well in such events but he does have a couple of lengths to make up on Vaniteux based on that run three weeks ago. SIZING PLATINUM wasn't at his best over further in the BetVictor Gold Cup last time out and should appreciate a drop in trip and class. He has been eased 1lb for that run and the assistance of Aidan Coleman looks beneficial.

4

13:50 Cheltenham (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

2m 4f 166y

Winner £56,950 - 16 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Village Vic won the race 12 months ago off 10 stone but now has the burden of top weight to defy as he bids to become only the second horse to win the race twice. Under a positive ride he is expected to go very close having finished a close second under a similar weight in the BetVictor last month. Buywise (third), Aso (fourth) and Bouvreuil (fifth) all ran in the BetVictor, finishing behind Philip Hobbs' charge, and must be taken seriously. The verdict, though, is for KYLEMORE LOUGH, who brings Grade 1-winning form to the table and is five wins from seven starts over fences. Kerry Lee's charge was pulled up on his only previous visit to Cheltenham over hurdles, but he's a much better horse now and there was a lot to like about his reappearance second at Ascot three weeks ago. At a price, Full Shift gets in under a beautiful racing weight representing powerful connections and finished a very creditable fourth in a Grade 3 over C&D at the Festival in March.

5

14:25 Cheltenham (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Bristol Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2)

2m 7f 213y

Winner £17,085 - 6 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

A race taken by Coneygree, Kings Palace, Blaklion and Unowwhatimeanharry in the last four years, and Thistlecrack's half-brother WEST APPROACH could well add his name to that roll of honour. He does have ground to find with Wholestone, who has finished a place in front of him twice already this season, but the drop back in trip last time out would have been against this stayer. When the pair met over C&D in October, only half a length separated them and the Colin Tizzard representative is 3lb better off now. The rest have to improve to beat that pair but Anchor Man and No Hassle Hoff should be in the mix for the minor money.

6

15:00 Cheltenham (Class 1) (4YO plus)

stanjames.com International Hurdle (Grade 2)

2m 179y

Winner £74,035 - 6 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

My Tent Or Yours was poor on his reappearance at Haydock but perhaps he will do better now on quicker ground. He will likely be short enough for a horse who hasn't won since 2014 and perhaps Dan Skelton's MISTER MIYAGI is a better punting option. The seven-year-old looked in need of the run at Kempton before finishing an admirable second to Un Temps Pour Tout (giving away 4lb) at Aintree last month. The New One and Old Guard have won the last three renewals of this race combined but there are enough doubts regarding the pair to take them on, with the latter in danger of becoming disappointing after mediocre efforts over hurdles and fences already this season.

7

15:35 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Olbg Mares' Handicap Hurdle

2m 4f 56y

Winner £18,768 - 13 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

The 'getting out stakes' looks very competitive and it is only the most tentative of votes that goes the way of JESSBER'S DREAM. Paul Nicholls' six-year-old won a Grade Two by eight lengths at Sandown in February and ran creditably in defeat when chasing home Jer's Girl in Grade One company at Fairyhouse thereafter. She was perfectly entitled to need her comeback spin at Kempton and has a workable racing weight. Listed winner Briery Queen returns from a break but merits shortlist inclusion along with the improving Midnight Tour.

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