Racecards
13:55 Cheltenham
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2)
- 3 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 200y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £20,000 added
- Winner: £10,406
- 2nd: £4,784
- 3rd: £2,392
- 4th: £1,196
- Form 2-31421
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
made all, pressed 2 out, shaken up before mistake last, ridden clear inside final 150 yards
- Form 132231
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
chased leaders, pecked slightly 4th, went 2nd from 6th, challenged 2 out, ridden and hung left from before last, no impression final 150 yards
- Form F24/74-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Rowe
- Jockey N F Houlihan
chased winner until 6th, well held from 4 out, mistake last
- Form 1-1711
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey Non Runner
NonRunner
- Form 69-4133
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
NonRunner
Verdict
Though it’s likely a few of his rivals underperformed, CAMPROND stayed on strongly trying this trip for the first time in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow two weeks ago and should take all the beating in this. Mars Harper has won a maiden at Down Royal and a novice event at Downpatrick this year but will need to improve dramatically to beat the selection off level terms. All Clenched Up faces an even stiffer task at the weights while Bannixtown Boy has done nothing to suggest he can win a race like this.
Formwatch
Camprond (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in touch towards rear, mistake 2nd, closed after not fluent 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, soon led, edged left and went clear before last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct beating Luttrell Lad (11-0) by 5l, 7 ran.
Mars Harper 9-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd at 5th, pushed along in 6th when switched left approaching last, ridden in 2nd 1f out and soon challenged, led 50 yards out, kept on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f sft in Oct beating Rock On Seamie (11-4) by 2l, 8 ran.
Bannixtown Boy (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Raced wide towards rear, closer in mid-division after 3rd, chased leaders before 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, hit 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Here Comes Johny (12-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Off Your Rocco (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Chased clear leader, took closer order in 3rd after 6th, closed after 4 out, travelled well to lead narrowly before 2 out, ridden before last, driven out run-in, won at Limerick 2m 5f lst (1) sft in Oct beating The Little Yank (11-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
All Clenched Up 9-4 (10-12) Led until after 2nd, chased leader who soon went clear, not fluent 3rd, closed to lead 4th, headed next, chased leaders, led again briefly home turn, headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 9, 6 1/2l behind Cobblers Dream (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Sep.