BetVictor Cheltenham Festival Antepost Pioneers Classified Claiming Stakes 1m
- (4yo+, 1m, Class 5, 7 runners)
- Winner £2,588 2nd £770 3rd £385 4th £192
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
Print| Pos | Horse | Distance/th> | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 Exceedexpectations | 11/4f | |
| 2nd | 5 Officer In Command | s.h | 9/2 |
Racecard
| # | Form | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | OR | Naps | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2) | 0/40179- |
|
4 | 133 9-7 | A P Jarvis | Michael J M Murphy (5) | 70 | 12/1 | |
| 2 (7) | 662-223 |
|
6 | 129 9-3 p | D M Simcock | Alice Haynes (7) | 66 | 6/1 | |
| 3 (3) | 2023-42 |
|
4 | 128 9-2 | M L W Bell | William Twiston-Davies (5) | 68 | 11/4f | |
| 4 (4) | 04860-3 |
|
7 | 125 8-13 | R Harris | J P Spencer | 68 | 3/1 | |
| 5 (6) | 38-6651 |
|
7 | 125 8-13 v | S Curran | R Winston | 66 | 9/2 | |
| 6 (1) | 332345 |
|
4 | 123 8-11 | R Harris | William Carson | 63 | 12/1 | |
| 7 (5) | 249-241 |
|
4 | 121 8-9 | J A Osborne | D Sweeney | 61 | 8/1 |
In depth
Verdict
ALHABAN isn't much better than a plater but was unlucky in-running on his return from a five-month absence at Lingfield on Friday and, with Jamie Spencer in the plate again, compensation awaits. Hierarch is very consistent at this level and should be thereabouts despite being on his highest mark for two years. Exceedexpectations should be winning again soon but could have done without being raised in the weights after finishing runner-up last time. Officer In Command gained his fifth Polytrack victory over the course and distance recently and has to be respected along with Gunner Will, though the latter may need a bit further.
Formwatch
Exceedexpectations 7-2 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Idol Deputy (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Officer In Command (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, rider lost iron inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Bowstar (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Alhaban (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, ran on to go a never dangerous 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Honey Of A Kitten (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol.
Hierarch (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, bumped and carried wide over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Bussa (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Abhaath (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders and keen, went 3rd 2 out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, one pace, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Yankee Storm (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
King Vahe (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind L'Hirondelle (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Gunner Will (IRE) 4-1fav (8-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8f out until 7f out, chased leaders, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol beating Royal Etiquette (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.