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13:35 Cheltenham

Utopia Group 'dipper' Novices' Chase (grade 2) (Class 1)

  • 5 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 5f
  • Going: Good to Soft
  • Surface: Turf
  • £35,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 5m 39.70s
  • Off Time: 13:35:59
  • 5 Ran
Go to Full Result
1
Silk -

Lead On (IRE)

7/2

    2
    Silk -

    Predateur (FR)

    9/4

      1
      Silk - Yellow, Grey sleeves

      Lead On (IRE)

      25 C
      7/2
      • Form 21-2841
      • Age 7
      • Weight 11-7

      tracked leader, led 4th, headed approaching 8th, led again 12th, jumped right 4 out, challenged last and ran on

      2
      Silk - RED and YELLOW stripes, YELLOW sleeves, RED armlets, RED cap

      Nudge And Nurdle (IRE)

      17 D
      7/1
      • Form 326-115
      • Age 7
      • Weight 11-7

      held up, mistake 1st and 11th, jumped right next and 4 out, soon weakened

      3
      Silk - Red and Grey seams, check sleeves, Red cap

      Okaido (FR)

      31
      11/4
      • Form 31-6211
      • Age 6
      • Weight 11-7

      led, headed 4th, led again approaching 8th, headed 12th, in 3rd and held when fell 2 out

      4
      Silk - Dark Blue, Yellow disc, Yellow sleeves, Dark Blue spots

      Papini (IRE)

      32
      9/2
      • Form 100-1F3
      • Age 7
      • Weight 11-4

      tracked leaders, hit 10th, lost place 13th, left poor 3rd 2 out

      5
      Silk - Red and Yellow (quartered), hooped sleeves, Emerald Green cap

      Predateur (FR)

      17
      9/4
      • Form 3144-24
      • Age 5
      • Weight 10-9

      in touch, not fluent 10th, chased winner after 4 out, ridden 2 out, close up last, no extra

      Previous results

      2007
      Silk -

      My Way de Solzen (FR)

      4/9
      • Age 7
      • Weight 11-4

      2006
      Silk -

      The Listener (IRE)

      4/5
      • Age 7
      • Weight 11-11

      2005
      Silk -

      My Will (FR)

      4/1
      • Age 5
      • Weight 10-12

      In depth

      Verdict

      French raider Okaido has to be of interest on his British debut but it is hard to evaluate the merits of his form and, in receipt of all the allowances from Lead On, it is Predateur that gets the vote. The selection is trained by Paul Nicholls and he has been put over fences very early in his career at the age of just four. Having shown promise on both starts, both here at Cheltenham, the son of Nikos can use that experience to good use and he is taken to make the most of the weight that he receives all round. Nudge And Nurdle needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge, while Nicky Henderson's Papini has disappointed since making a winning chasing debut at Ascot in November. Lead On has to be respected but, in receipt of so much weight from him, it is Predateur that is preferred.

      Formwatch

      Lead On (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up, in touch, hit 10th, headway next, ridden 4 out, led last, driven out flat, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) sft in Dec beating Verasi (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.

      Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up, behind, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.

      Okaido (FR) (10-10) Prominent, led 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Bordeaux Le Bous 3m ch gd in Dec beating Jo Banbou (11-0) by 5l, 9 ran.

      Papini (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, chased winner to 4 out, soon ridden, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Hobbs Hill (11-8) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.

      Predateur (FR) 6-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 3rd when blundered badly 4 out and relegated to 5th, went 3rd again 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened, hung right flat, 4th of 6, 11l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.