Racecards
12:10 Cheltenham
British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 179y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £15,000 added
- Winner: £9,285
- 2nd: £2,757
- 3rd: £1,378
- 4th: £687
- Form 16-F21
- Age 4
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey H Cobden
made all, ridden flat, stayed on well, comfortably
- Form 1
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
held up, closed after 2nd, not fluent next, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on and went 3rd towards finish, unable to challenge
- Form 231-3
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked winner, not fluent 3 out, ridden approaching last, switched left after last, unable to challenge, stayed on
- Form 5-1
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up, closed after 2nd, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching last, lost 3rd and no extra towards finish
- Form P/32-8
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A E Jones
- Jockey Brendan Powell
always last, weakened 2 out
Verdict
ELIXIR DE NUTZ appears to be on a steep upward curve, making all in a Grade 2 here last month for a first success over timber. He has to give 6lb to today’s rivals but should be up to the task. Angels Breath and Monsieur D’Arque have both won point to points so may need further but I K Brunel showed speed and resolution to make a winning start in a Carlisle bumper last month and Jarveys Plate wasn’t beaten far when well backed at Hereford. Tricks And Trails is likely to find easier tests in the month ahead.
Formwatch
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Made all, switched wide when hit 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well ( 3 flights omitted, low sun), won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Itchy Feet (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
I K Brunel 5-2 (11-0) In touch, headway to track leaders halfway, ,every chance over 1f out, hard driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov beating Tarada (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Jarveys Plate (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 3 out, shaken up and progress next, ridden in 3rd from last bend, switched left and stayed on flat, not able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Newtown Boy (10-12) at Hereford 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Monsieur D'Arque (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chsd ldr, 4l 2nd 1/2way, prog to ld aft 4out, sl adv aft 2out, hdd & 1l dwn last where left clr, ko flat, won at Loughrea 3m mdn gd in Oct beating Tomgarrow (11-11) by 5l, 8 ran.
Tricks And Trails (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, always behind, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off, 8th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Coolanly (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Angels Breath (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Alw pr, 4th 1/2way, 3rd 4out trvl well & tr ldr 2out, sn ld & asserted bef last, kow, easily, won at Moira 3m mdn in Apr beating Tanrudy (11-11) by 12l, 13 ran.