Cheltenham 17 March 2011

Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
 
 

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

13:30 Cheltenham (Class 1) (5YO plus)

Jewson Novices' Chase (Registered As The Golden Miller Novices' Chase) (Grade 2)

2m 4f

Winner £51,309 - 11 ran

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

NOBLE PRINCE has taken extremely well to fences and only went down by a short head in Grade One company at Leopardstown last time when just outbattled by Realt Dubh. His conqueror paid the form a major compliment with a fine third in the Arkle on the opening day and Paul Nolan's charge can go one better here. Mr Gardner has only seen the racecourse five times but he's taken very well to fences and looks sure to play a leading role, whilst Wishfull Thinking also merits considerable respect.

2

14:05 Cheltenham (Class 1) (5YO plus)

Pertemps Final (Listed Handicap Hurdle)

3m

Winner £39,907 - 23 ran

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

Nick Williams looks to have prepared ALFIE SPINNER for this highly competitive renewal and the six-year-old looks sure to give a good account on the back of an excellent effort behind Kilcrea Kim in a similar Sandown contest last time. The lightly-raced Chartreux looks a fascinating Pipe contender off the very bottom rung of the handicap and could be open to significant improvement, whilst Barafundle is an improving sort who arrives here fresh and ready. Sivota and Rivage D'Or are worthy Irish raiders in an inevitably open contest.

3

14:40 Cheltenham (Class 1) (5YO plus)

Ryanair Chase (Registered as the Festival Trophy Chase) (Grade 1)

2m 5f

Winner £154,896 - 11 ran

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

Last year's 1-2-3 clash once again but Alberta's Run has done little this term to indicate he can post a second successive success in this contest. In contrast, POQUELIN and J'y Vole have displayed their well-being in the current campaign and the former can go one better than last year on a course he relishes - his latest success arrived here in the Vote AP Gold Cup in December. J'y Vole will go well, likewise fellow Irish raider Roberto Goldback, with Kalahari King sure to have been primed for this too.

4

15:20 Cheltenham (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1)

3m

Winner £148,226 - 13 ran

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

One of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the festival sees impressive young pretender, Grand Crus, throw down the gauntlet to reigning champion BIG BUCK'S who seeks to become the first horse to complete the hat-trick in successive years in this prestigious contest. However, Paul Nicholls' charge has looked a genuinely awesome performer since reverting to timber and remains so hard to oppose. He can win his eleventh successive race here. Fiveforthree and Mourad are interesting contenders from the powerful Mullins operation, whilst Zaynar and Cross Kennon are possible outsiders.

5

16:00 Cheltenham (Class 1) (5YO plus)

Byrne Group Plate (Grade 3 Handicap Chase)

2m 5f

Winner £42,758 - 20 ran

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

A renewal with any number of chances but it may just be that AIGLE D'OR is well ahead of the handicapper. The Henderson team did supremely well to bring him back to form on his seasonal reappearance last November, since when he's presumably been cotton wool-wrapped with this meeting in mind. He remains well treated. The potentially progressive Beautiful Sound looks another for the short list off an appealing mark near the foot of the weights for Gordon Elliott, with northern challengers Gansey and Hollo Ladies also worth noting.

6

16:40 Cheltenham (Class 2) (5YO plus)

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Amateur Riders)

3m 1f 110y

Winner £30,010 - 24 ran

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

Immensely competitive fare with an 11lb weight range across the whole field. Two that look to have been trained with this race in mind are JUNIOR and Galant Nuit and they are preferred in that order, primarily due to prevailing conditions. David Pipe's charge looks on a fair handicap mark, goes well round here and will be suited by trip and ground. Galant Nuit stayed on well to claim the minor placing last year and should get involved again, whilst the progressive Alderley Rover and Fredo also make plenty of appeal.

7

17:15 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

St Patrick's Day Derby (Charity Race)

1m 5f

Winner £30,010 - 12 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt
OR
Jockey / Trainer

It would be highly appropriate if guest of honour, Henry Cecil, were to train the winner of this special event and it would come as no surprise to see PLATO record an emotional success. The Niarchos-owned colt had some decent form in useful handicap company last term and gets the vote over a trip that should suit. Kings Troop rates a major threat,somewhat ironically have joined Alan King from the Cecil yard. Super Collider is unexposed on the level and is interesting on his first run for 'Shark' Hanlon.

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