Cheltenham 19 October 2013

Going: Good
 
 

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

14:00 Cheltenham (Class 3) (4YO plus)

Jools Holland Here On 9th November Novices' Hurdle

3m 1f 110y

Winner £6,256 - 10 ran

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

It could pay to side with OSCAR MAGIC representing the stable that has won three of the last ten runnings of this contest (including 12 months ago). The six-year-old son of Oscar has always been held in high regard by Nigel Twiston-Davies and although made to work hard enough for a 1/10 victory at Newton Abbot last month, that 2m3f trip will have been on the short side and we should see a much better horse now tried beyond 2m4f for the first time. Creepy readily opened his hurdling account at Chepstow (2m4f) earlier in the month and had previously filled the runner-up position in a competitive handicap here (2m5f). He should give another good account while Kings Palace, Aerial and Kilbree Kid also hold solid claims. Hold On Julio and Monbeg Dude are high-class staying chasers but are likely to use this as a stepping stone to bigger future assignments, probably over the larger obstacles.

2

14:35 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Equus-fine Dining At The Festival Handicap Chase

2m 4f

Winner £31,280 - 16 ran

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

A fiercely competitive renewal where a case can be made for virtually all of the 16 declared runners. McCoy has seemingly plumped for Vulcanite over other McManus runners Malt Master and Finger Onthe Pulse and he warrants plenty of respect making his first appearance since finishing eighth in a Listed handicap chase at the Festival here in March, while dual course winner Astracad should go well for the Twiston-Davies team. Woolcombe Folly, Vino Griego, Tanks For That and Kumbeshwar also merit shortlist inclusion, but EASTER METEOR shades the verdict. He impressively won a Doncaster (2m3f) handicap before fourth in a red-hot Grade 2 event here (2m5f) last time and representing an Emma Lavelle stable that has been in blistering form recently, the seven-year-old ought to mount a bold bid.

3

15:10 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO only)

Masterson Holdings Hurdle

2m 110y

Winner £18,768 - 6 ran

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

Sametgal has a pretty faultless record thus far (never out of the three in eight appearances) and with efforts such as a third-place finish in last season's Triumph Hurdle, he commands respect on his return to action while Bayan confirmed that he was still improving when beating the likes of subsequent Irish Cesarewitch third Call Me Bubbles in a 23k handicap at Listowel last time. Leo Luna and Gassin Golf are by no means out of it either, but HANDAZAN gets the nod. Alan King's gelding gave the impression that he has a improved a fair fit for a summers break when bolting up on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow (2m1f) last week and a similar level of performance would make him extremely difficult to beat this afternoon.

4

15:45 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Showcase Trophy (Handicap Chase)

3m 110y

Winner £31,280 - 16 ran

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

Balthazar King is best known for his Cross Country exploits nowadays but he certainly has enough ability to figure in a race of this nature, while Vif Argent is an interesting player on his first start for David Pipe having won five of his 14 starts in France (two bumpers, two hurdles and a chase). Mister Grez provided Dan Skelton with his first winner as a trainer at Ffos Las six days ago and he should go well under a 6lb penalty providing this doesn't come too soon, but a chance is taken on handicap debutant CONNECTIVITY. A 133-rated hurdler, he stepped up on a promising chase debut performance over 2m7f at Worcester (third) when landing a beginners' chase over the same course and distance last time and an opening mark of 130 could potentially be underestimating his talents.

5

16:25 Cheltenham (Class 3) (4YO plus)

Go Racing With Mcphersonracing.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

2m 5f

Winner £7,507 - 15 ran

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

Once coming under starters orders (very reluctant to race), PRINCELY PLAYER showed a great attitude to strike over 2m4f at Fontwell two weeks ago, with Richard Johnson hard at work from some way out. The extra furlong and uphill finish today should be to his liking and he looks well capable of defying a 4lb rise. Silver Eagle must enter calculations making his handicap debut off a mark of 130 following maiden and novice hurdle wins at Wetherby and Uttoxeter respectively, while Get Home Now is no forlorn hope competing off the same mark as when fourth in a class 2 handicap at Newton Abbot last time. Also thrown into the mix are course winner Court In Session and the Ian Williams-trained Teak.

6

17:00 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Chase

2m

Winner £12,512 - 6 ran

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

Balder Succes made just about the perfect start to his chasing career when jumping efficiently and winning with a little up his sleeve at Chepstow last week and it would come as no surprise to see him follow up, but chasing debutant DARK LOVER could prove difficult to beat in receipt of 8lb. The eight-year-old appears to have plenty in his favour - he is top-rated over hurdles, goes particularly well fresh, boasts a couple of hurdles wins around Prestbury Park and has the scope to jump a fence - so a massive run looks assured. Sizing Italy remains relatively unexposed and has progressed with each start over fences thus far, while first-time visored The Cockney Mackem rarely runs a bad race and warrants respect for local trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

7

17:30 Cheltenham (Class 4) (4YO to 6YO)

Have Your Christmas Parties Here Standard Open NH Flat Race

2m 110y

Winner £4,549 - 18 ran

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

Connections forked out plenty to acquire the services of impressive point-to-point winner Midnight Thunder and it will be interesting to see how he gets on while there should be more to come from debut winners Carningli and The Govaness. Mrs Jordan and Werenearlyoutofit both look to be going the right way but a chance is taken on BROTHER BRIAN who shaped with so much promise when second in bumpers at Huntingdon and Towcester back in the spring.

Existing User?

Forgot your password?

New User?

Sign up using our simple one-page form and you'll be able to access free video form, tips and exclusive content straight away.