15:40 Cheltenham

Sunday 1 January 2017

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:40

EBF Stallions & Cheltenham Pony Club (Listed Standard Open NH Flat Race)

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 3m 29.5s

Atlantic Grey⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: William Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

20/1

Should improve on his debut outing in bumpers where he was seen to be doing his best work at the finish at Huntingdon and this stiffer course will suit although the trip does look a little short.

Form: 772

Dentley De Mee³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams

20/1

One of the most experienced in the field and this will be his fourth start. Dead heated for first place in a junior bumper at Huntingdon on second start and showed improved form when fifth last time out at Towcester under a penalty.

Form: 615

Dynamite Dollars²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls

8/1

Just the one start so far in bumpers and he shaped well at Taunton in newcomers event and had every chance until the last 100 yards and there looked to be plenty to work on.

Form: 336-

Flashing Glance³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: R J Price

20/1

Shaped well on his only outing so far despite being a big price in a Doncaster bumper getting outpaced and finishing well. Looks to need further in time and 2 miles would suit better.

Form: 3

Sea Sovereign³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M Pitman

33/1

Has an excellent flat pedigree for one who was a cheap buy and although he wasn't seen to best effect at Towcester on his debut (Have This For Now finished in front) he didn't offer as much as some in the contest.

Form: 8

St John's⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: B R Millman

20/1

Won a bumper at Exeter that has seen some good winners over the years although the renewal that St John's won looks to have been a weaker contest than usual. Didn't look the finished article and was rather lucky that the runner-up wandered badly when he had the race in safe keeping and needs to improve here.

Form: 19-

Unsafe Conduct⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard

20/1

Pasternak gelding who makes his debut here for a yard that are having one of their best ever seasons. Given the yard and their recent form can't be discounted here.

Form:

White Valiant⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: John Berry

12/1

Made a winning debut at Huntingdon when he was a big outsider and that form could be weak and he looked to have the run of the race there. The form hasn't been franked so far and he may just struggle under a penalty here.

Form: 1

Cap Soleil¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

11/8

From a yard that has been going well in bumpers this year and Cap Soleil showed she was a useful prospect when winning at Newbury in a race that wasn't strong in depth but she looked visually impressive. This contest was mentioned as a possible target straight after the Newbury race and she comes here with strong prospects of adding this Listed contest.

Form: 1

Daphne Du Clos³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson

5/2

Won a 12-runner bumper in France on her only start so far and this will be her first run for her new yard who do have a good record with their runners in this sphere. Likely to improve on that initial win and given her connections one of the more likely players in this race.

Form:

Sweeping Beauty²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: T Scudamore| T: M H Tompkins

25/1

Two runs so far in bumpers and despite being placed in both of them the overall form is modest. She did show some improvement on her first run when third to Shearling last time out but has work to do to reverse the form with that one here.

Form: 23

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

Have This For Now³⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

The Groove⁷⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: F O'Brien J: Philip Donovan

Cockney Wren²⁴

Weight: 10-5| Age: 4

T: H Fry J: N P Madden

Shearling²⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 4

T: B Ellison J: R Johnson

Spice Girl⁵⁴

Weight: 10-5| Age: 4

T: M Keighley J: Andrew Tinkler

Forecasts

Cap Soleil (11/8), Daphne Du Clos (5/2), Shearling (11/2), Dynamite Dollars (8/1), White Valiant (12/1), Cockney Wren (14/1), Have This For Now (16/1), Flashing Glance (20/1), Dentley De Mee (20/1), Atlantic Grey (20/1), St John's (20/1), Unsafe Conduct (20/1), Sweeping Beauty (25/1), The Groove (25/1), Sea Sovereign (33/1), Spice Girl (33/1)

There are some potential improvers in this contest; none moreso than the impressive Newbury scorer CAP SOLEIL who was well backed when winning on her debut. Looking back at that run it didn’t look the strongest field but she won impressively brushing aside her nine rivals with relative ease. This is obviously a rise in grade for her and it remains to be seen how she copes with the bigger field and the different track but she sets the standard here. The Henderson runner Daphne Du Clos is the unknown quantity in the race having won her only start in France but given the record of her stable in this sphere she has to be respected on her first start for the yard albeit in testing company. If there is one at a bigger price that looks interesting them it would be the well-related Cockney Wren who showed some good speed on her debut at Taunton and if that can be harnessed here in what is a tougher test of stamina she might be dangerous in the closing stages. 1. Cap Soleil 2. Daphne Du Clos 3. Cockney Wren