Racecards
14:10 Cheltenham
Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Class 2)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £17,000 added
- Winner: £10,635
- 2nd: £3,142
- 3rd: £1,571
- 4th: £785
- Form 1/2-2211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey J M Maguire
led, not fluent 4th, dived at 3 out, ridden, edged left and headed before last, no extra flat
- Form 211FU2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer A J Honeyball
- Jockey Rachael Green
held up in last, not fluent 5th or 6th, in touch next, outpaced after 2 out, no extra when not fluent last, weakened flat
- Form 1-42112
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in 5th, not fluent 4th, closed 7th, went close 2nd last, soon switched left, ridden and carried head high, wandered under pressure, stayed on
- Form 6/B5-111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey D A Jacob
mostly tracked leader, led before last, driven out
- Form 11
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up in 4th, closed 7th, tracking leaders on outside when awkward 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression after, stayed on flat
- Form 1465-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
not fluent, prominent, every chance when mistake 3 out, outpaced from next, no extra last
Verdict
Clondaw Draft is definitely heading in the right direction but this is a significant step up in grade. RUM AND BUTTER is proven at this level and certainly wasn't disgraced in trying to give 12lb to Kangaroo Court at Newton Abbot last month. The winner followed up off an 11lb higher mark last week and Jonjo O'Neill's charge can resume winning ways here. Saint Roque is interesting as he really came into his own in the summer, though his long-term future probably lies over fences. Man Of Leisure is no slouch but lacks the scope of Cloud Brook and fellow bumper winner Pure Science, who finished sixth at The Festival here in March.
Formwatch
Clondaw Draft (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Made all, drew clear after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Another Hero (11-11) by 11l, 5 ran.
Man Of Leisure 11-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 7th, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Dartford Warbler (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Sep.
Rum And Butter (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway approaching 7th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed when mistake last, no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Kangaroo Court (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gf in Sep.
Saint Roque (FR) 2-5fav (11-8) Tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, mistake and led 2 out, clear flat, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gf in Jun beating Life And Soul (11-8) by 5l, 4 ran.
Cloud Brook (IRE) Evensfav (10-11) Held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 6f out, led over 2f out, drew clear over 1f out, impressive, won at Bangor 2m 1f cond NH flat (6) sft beating A Tail Of Intrigue (10-13) by 10l, 7 ran.
Pure Science (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, no impression after, 5th of 9, 18l behind Regal Diamond (11-2) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gs in Apr.