Cheltenham 28 October 2017

Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
 
 
Mostly Cloudy

Forecast: Mostly Cloudy
Temperature: 12.1° - 15.5°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 7.6 mph SW

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

14:00 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Randoxhealth.com Handicap Chase

3m 1f

Winner £31,280 - 16 ran

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

A competitive handicap kicks the day off with a whole host of runners in with a chance headed by the progressive Singlefarmpayment, second in the Ultima behind Un Temps Pour Tout at the Festival, who remains open to further improvement in handicap company but this could well be used as a preparation towards a bigger target in the coming weeks. Colin Tizzard has a strong hand with Viconte Du Noyer, a winner at the track over 3m3f last November, and Robinsfirth, a lightly-raced individual who looks unexposed making his fourth start over fences, but the vote goes to last year's winner COOLOGUE. Charlie Longsdon's gelding runs off the same mark as 12 months ago and is reunited with Richard Johnson for the first time since that success. Doing Fine needs to improve on what he achieved last season over fences to land a blow here, while others worthy of consideration include Bells 'n' Banjos, who could be overpriced with his trainer Fergal O'Brien having a fine record in handicap chases at the track, and his stable companion Perfect Candidate.

2

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

Masterson Holdings Hurdle

2m 87y

Winner £21,896 - 4 ran

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

BEDROCK was six lengths adrift of the Champion Hurdle third favourite Defi Du Seuil at Aintree in the spring, and has since landed two novice contests having been kept busy over the summer by his handler Dan Skelton. He is the one they all have to beat and has serious claims on his hat-trick bid. Twobeelucky has started life over hurdles in great heart since joining Henry De Bromhead from Mark Johnston, and he can't be treated lightly here having only been defeated when bumping into a smart rival last time over timber. Golden Jeffrey is respected but could be vulnerable if attempting to make all and makes little appeal with only four runners in the field.

3

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

Randox Health Handicap Chase

1m 7f 199y

Winner £31,280 - 15 ran

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

Vaniteux heads the weights here and it will be interesting to see what improvement new handler David Pipe can find in the former Seven Barrows inmate, while Le Prezien was one of the leading novices last season and must be considered for a yard who have plenty of success at this two-day meeting and have started the season in form. However, preference is for DOUBLE W'S, who should be much fitter for his Kelso reappearance where he travelled like the winner before tiring. A repeat of his Red Rum Handicap success in the spring could see him go very close here if finally getting the hang of the Cheltenham Hill, which has been his achilles heel in the past. Foxtail Hill has a sterling record here and is a must for the shortlist representing Nigel Twiston-Davies, while Poker School is another who could be dangerously positioned in the handicap and must be considered. Exitas landed a competitive novice chase at Kempton last week and is one of the more likely outsiders under a 7lb penalty, while Un Beau Roman was a C&D winner off 4lb lower last season and looks the pick of Paul Henderson's pair.

4

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

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

2m 7f 208y

Winner £15,640 - 17 ran

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

THOMAS CAMPBELL landed a maiden hurdle on his seasonal bow here 12 months ago and although his stable haven't started the present campaign brightly, he's been crying out for this step up in trip and looks handicapped to go well, only 1lb higher than when fifth in last season's Martin Pipe. Whataknight is expected to come on for his last run at Newton Abbot, which was his first outing since May, while progressive Nigel Hawke representative Johanos is respected in his present mood and Stick To The Plan is another to bear in mind after his rider lost an iron and fell off with the race at her mercy at Southwell last time. Harry Skelton takes over in the saddle this afternoon and a mark of 123 on his handicap bow is attractive.

5

16:20 Cheltenham (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Chase

2m 3f 166y

Winner £15,640 - 6 ran

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

Two Taffs probably has the best hurdles form on offer having been third in a Listed race at the Cheltenham Festival before landing the spoils at Ayr in the same grade. He hasn't always looked to be the easiest of rides, though, and can be opposed at likely short enough odds on his reappearance. Cultivator is bred for this sphere but might want a bit more rain, while Midnight Shot is a solid jumper who has won here before. ALCALA was unlucky when slipping at Chepstow last time out and, if over those exertions, could resume his progress for the in-form Paul Nicholls.

6

16:55 Cheltenham (Class 3) (4YO plus)

Junior Jumpers Novices' Hurdle

2m 7f 208y

Winner £6,256 - 6 ran

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

Plenty of these have already tasted success on multiple occasions but it does not appear the strongest of races. The one to beat is ROBBIN'HANNON based on his second-placed effort behind Gayebury in a Listed hurdle at Perth back in April. That said, even a repeat of his most recent effort might be good enough to win this event. Calett Mad is probably flattered by the winning margin of his Perth success, given that he was taking on a 13-year-old staying chaser. However, he still remains the biggest threat to the selection. Ballymountain Boy is entitled to improve for his recent comeback run in a Grade 2 at Chepstow.

7

17:30 Cheltenham (Class 3) (4YO to 6YO)

Jockey Club Venues Standard Open NH Flat Race

2m 87y

Winner £6,256 - 14 ran

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

Cracking Destiny won his sole point-to-point start by 30 lengths in March and must enter calculations first time under NH rules, while Kerry's Boy warrants plenty of respect representing a trainer/jockey combination that have already won two bumpers this week. The locally trained Gaucho and Pure Affection, who only found a subsequent winner too good at Stratford last time, are others to keep an eye on but a chance is taken on AINCHEA. The 155,000-euro purchase represents powerful connections first time out and he is certainly bred to have plenty of ability, being a full brother to Grade 1-winning hurdler One Track Mind.

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