FRIDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2021
The wait is finally over as the days begin to get shorter and the crisp mornings return, it can only mean one thing – Cheltenham is back. The Showcase Friday marks the return of racing to Cheltenham on Friday 22 October 2021 with an exciting seven race card on offer.
In 2020, the two-mile feature race was won by the impressive Rouge Vif, and we also saw Galvin guided to victory before following up with Festival success in 2021.
First Race - 1:55 Last Race - 5:25
Going - Good.
1:55 The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race
2m 3f 200y [Class 2 5 runners]
Small fields to being the afternoon with, just the five here, hard to split both Off Your Rocco [Non Runner] (G Elliott) and Camprond (P Hobbs) the latter won well at Chepstow in the Persian War hurdle earlier in the month and carries the famous colours of JP McManus, also has the highest rating on show of the five runners today, and with the non runner will be a very short price now. Off Your Rocco has taken well to hurdles winning four of his five starts so far including an opening bumper in Ireland, should be between these. Elliott also runs Mars Harper who is no back marker either, Davy Russell is in the saddle, and although needs a few pounds to trouble the front two in the betting this small field might play into his hands. The field is completed by Bannixtown Boy, and All Clenched Up [Non Runner] but they might have to find another smaller race than this.
Result - (1) Camprond @1/3f [Aidan Coleman].
2:30 The squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase
2m [Class 2 5 runners]
Our first steeple chase now again just the five runner field though, Fidelio Vallis trained by Paul Nicholls has four victories from his last six runs, likely to make a game attempt again here in this field although has to concede 8lb to Third Time Lucki. Dan Skelton's runner is making his debut over the larger obstacles having performed well over hurdles, should have more to come over fences although the emphasis here will be on the jumping, might not be one to take too short a price about here. Sir Tivo was successful in lower grade competitions during the summer, will be fit and ready but looks set for place prize money, while Any News has run here last year, placed in hurdle races and together with Buddy Rich might need one of the front two to falter if they are to score today.
Result - (5) Third Time Lucki @11/8f. [Harry Skelton]
3:05 888sport What's Your Thinking Novices' Hurdle
2m 7f 208y [Class 2 8 runners]
Bardenstown Lad won a couple of small hurdle races and should find this a lot warmer today, while Drumlee Water is another stepping up and while not without merit this is much more difficult than what they have achieved so far. Elsewhere we consider Onagatheringstorm who was an 11l winner at Aintree sent off a short price favourite that day. A second look at Grace A Vous Enki having joined Paul Nicholls since a productive campaign in France and could have plenty of improvement now in the hands of the champion NH trainer. While trainer David Pipe sends Siruh Du Lac back over hurdles today, last five runs have all been here albeit over fences, while winning the first pair of those then managed a sequence of pulled up, fell, unseated and has been off the racecourse since, looks to be on a recovery mission but is not without a chance.
Result - (1) Bardenstown Lad @85/40f [S Bowen].
3:40 The 888 Sport Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
2m 3f 166y [Class 3 5 runners]
Back to the fences, and another small field of five again here. Headed up by Faivoir a multiple winner for Dan Skelton including his first chase at Uttoxeter earlier this month, seemed to jump well and ought to improve for that experience, looks the one to beat. Similarly another Uttoxeter winner Back On The Lash has a bit more mileage over fences, has won over further and a possible front runner in the field. Annual Invictus was runner up to Faivoir last time, staying on up the run in to get the place. Danny Kirwan represents Paul Nicholls yard and should be ready to go again, while Torn and Frayed needs to improve but even so is not entirely out of things in this small field.
Result - (3) Annual Invictus @11/4 [Tom Cannon].
4:15 Abu Dhabi Digital Exchange Handicap Hurdle
2m 3f 200y [Class 3 12 runners]
Coole Cody has been a standing dish around this track winning at the November meeting here last term, should run their usual consistent race and in an open handicap no surprise to see them towards the front of the market again. Alan King's 5yo Dal Horrisgle represents an inform yard (24% strike rate in past 14 days) will need to jump better than last time out when a distant 4th at Uttoxeter, that race was his handicap debut after a couple of novice wins, can be given another chance here at 12/1 a win/place option.
Result - (1) Guard Your Dreams @16/5f [Sam Twiston-Davies].
4:50 Andy Stewart Memorial Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase
3m 1f [Class 3 17 runners]
A field of 18, including last year's winner Bermeo, who has had place form here since that win which would make him of interest once more and available at 20/1 one for the place markets perhaps. He is one of four runner for trainer Tim Vaughan today, includes Jean Genie another that seems to run consistently for the place option. Debden Bank could be one to watch, has been taking a rise in the weights with wins at Southwell and Worcester this is a different level, an open contest could still be a horse that's improving.
Result - (16) Stricklyadancer @7/1 [Mr P A KIng].
5:25 The Foundation Developments Maiden Hurdle
2m 87y [Class 3 14 runners]
We end with a maiden hurdle, plenty of runners, some NH debutants and many with experience of NH Flat races. Cardano does have a lot of flat form under rules, runner up in his last two starts for trainer Ian Williams if he's ready to take to hurdles should be one to keep a close eye on in the betting. Irish trainer Gordon Elliott sends over his Downpatrick bumper winner Top Bandit and will prefer this easier ground than the soft he faced on latest start although he still finished a reasonably close third that day.
Result - (12) Top Bandit @15/8f [Davy Russell].
All results will be updated during Friday afternoon and we will also have the Saturday meeting ready to go for tomorrow. Have a great weekend.
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