Cheltenham Preview Evening March 1st Handicap Hurdle 2m
- (4yo+, 2m, Class 4, 7 runners)
- Winner £3,422 2nd £998 3rd £499
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
Print| Pos | Horse | Distance/th> | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 White Fusion | 8/1 | |
| 2nd | 2 Amok | 6 | 9/4 |
Racecard
| # | Form | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | OR | Naps | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 44183 |
|
5 | 165 11-11 t | Tim Vaughan | R Johnson | 114 | 9/4 | |
| 3 | P1636P- |
|
5 | 164 11-10 | D O'Meara | F Keniry | 113 | 8/1 | |
| 4 | 43 |
|
4 | 156 11-2 | D McCain Jnr | J M Maguire | 115 | 15/8f | |
| 5 | 9-33222 |
|
7 | 155 11-1 | C Grant | D F O'Regan | 104 | 12/1 | |
| 6 | 4213-FP |
|
8 | 151 10-11 v | A Crook | A L Voy (3) | 100 | 25/1 | |
| 7 | 08112-1 |
|
7 | 150 10-10 | Mrs S J Smith | Jonathan England (7) | 99 | 11/2 | |
| 8 | F56-214 |
|
6 | 149 10-9 | M C Chapman | G J Galligan (10) | 98 | 17/2 |
Non Runners
| # | Form | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | OR | Naps | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21-08P6 |
Royal Opera
15
|
5 | 1112 | B Ellison | Danny Cook | 115 | NR |
In depth
Verdict
Chris Grant can't get a race out of Molaise Lad, whose placed efforts have come in a lower grade and makes his handicap debut. White Fusion has been running moderately on the Flat while Amok may have been a fortunate winner at Fakenham in November though a recent run in a jumper's bumper should have put him straight. Zazamix hasn't run over hurdles for two years but looks quite well treated if anywhere near his best though this can go to TREND IS MY FRIEND. Donald McCain's youngster has pulled too hard in both starts over timber but showed signs of quality and in the hope that he settles better he's handed the vote. Alba King has gone up 10lb for his latest success at Sedgefield, where he's become specialist, and his three victories there have all been on fast ground.
Formwatch
Royal Opera 33-1 (11-4) With leader, led over 6f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 12l behind Rysbrack (11-4) at Wolverhampton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
White Fusion 33-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Loch Ard (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl hvy in Apr, 10 ran.
Amok (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong until close home, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Rysbrack (11-4) at Wolverhampton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
The Society Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up, struggling 9th, went 4th before 3 out, no chance, 4th of 5, 28l behind Module (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Trend Is My Friend (USA) 7-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear and keen, headway over 2 out, went 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Hidden Justice (11-5) at Catterick 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft.
Molaise Lad (IRE) 2-1 (10-10) Chased clear leader throughout, not fluent 1st, reminder before 4th, no impression, well held 2 out, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Esporao (11-0) at Perth 2m clm hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Alba King (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Led, pressed after last, ridden and kept on gamely, just held on close home, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Tinseltown (11-5) by hd, 14 ran.
Zazamix (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Soon tracked leaders, not fluent 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Back Bob Back (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Jan, 8 ran.