5 minute read
6TH RACE
THE WILLIAM HILL CASTLEFORD HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE)
for four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £25000
Owners Prize Money. Winner £10433; Second £5218; Third £2608; Fourth £1305. (Penalty Value £13615) Weights raised 15lb and paragraph 34 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable.
FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK
| FACTS | FANCIES | FORM | STATS |
Leading course trainer (17-22): D Skelton (49 wins from 170 runners, 29%) runs ECLAIR D’AINAY Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): P Nicholls (4 wins from 15 runners, 27%) runs FRIEND OR FOE Fancy That: D Skelton won this race in 2016, 2019 and 2021. The stable runs ECLAIR D’AINAY today. Longest Traveller: FRIEND OR FOE trained by P Nicholls, Ditcheat, 241 miles.
RACE DESCRIPTION This is a one mile and seven furlongs handicap steeple chase for four-year-olds and upwards. The majority of handicaps are designed for horses from with a specific ratings band but this particular race has no rating restrictions attached to it which allows horses with a higher rating to take part. Even so, the higher rated horses must still concede weight to their lower rated rivals, which tends to make open handicaps very competitive races.
colours no horse
form 1 CHEDDLETON (GB) (38) 32243-3
Br g Shirocco (GER) - Over Sixty Owner: Mr P. And Mrs G. A. Clarke Breeder: Old Rectory Stud age st-lb
7 12-0
Jockey: Sean Quinlan Trainer: Jennie Candlish, Leek Sponsor: Pra World Ltd
TIMEFORM VIEW Smart chaser. Mostly creditable efforts last season and a sound return to action over hurdles at Haydock last month. That sets him up nicely for this return to fences. Could go well. Star RatingHHHHH BHA 146 2 ECLAIR D’AINAY (FR) (304) 2/4P122- CD
8 11-13
B or Br g Network (GER) - Etoile d’Ainay (FR) Jockey: Tristan Durrell (5) Owner: Mr J. Hales Trainer: Dan Skelton, Alcester Breeder: Mr Stephane Milaveau Sponsor: Ladbrokes, The Air Ambulance Service (Warwickshire & Northamptonshire)
TIMEFORMVIEWGained a third career success under a positive ride in this race last year and backed it up with two excellent efforts in defeat. Should give another good account if he’s tuned up after 10 months off. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 145 3 FRIEND OR FOE (FR) (24) 13313-0 D
7 11-10
B g Walk In The Park (IRE) - Mandchou (FR) Jockey: Bryony Frost Owner: Gordon & Su Hall Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat Breeder: E.A.R.L. de Faydeau Sponsor: Morson Group
TIMEFORM VIEW Useful handicapper who won twice on his debut season over fences. Should prove sharper for the run over hurdles but improvement needed to defy current mark. Star RatingHHHII BHA 142 4 MALYSTIC (GB) (46) 2/U2-42P CD
8 11-10
B g Malinas (GER) - Mystic Glen Jockey: Danny McMenamin Owner: Clova Syndicate and Mr P. D. Niven Trainer: Peter Niven, Malton Breeder: Mrs J. A. Niven & Mrs D. M. Ewart Sponsor: P D Niven Racing Ltd
TIMEFORM VIEW Lightly raced since winning 2 novice chases in late-2020 but proved he retains plenty of ability when runner-up behind Gold Des Bois on return in Kelso handicap (17f), possible he would have won if asked for his effort sooner. Reported to have scoped dirty when pulled up at Cheltenham after. Star RatingHHHII BHA 142 5 CORNERSTONE LAD (GB) (23) 45123-4 CD
8 11-8
B g Delegator - Chapel Corner (IRE)
Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Owner: Mrs B. M. Lofthouse Trainer: Micky Hammond, Middleham Breeder: Cranford Bloodstock & Overbury Stallions Sponsor: Micky Hammond Racing, Eastwood Private Clients
TIMEFORM VIEW Smart hurdler who opened chase account with cheekpieces refitted over C&D in January. Not disgraced since, including on return, but essentially isn’t quite as good over fences as hurdles. Star RatingHHHII BHA 140 6 DALY TIGER (FR) (44) 40F-063
B g Tiger Groom - Reine Tresor (FR) Owner: Twist Your Arm Partnership Breeder: Mr Claude Menard
9 11-7
Jockey: Richie McLernon Trainer: L J Morgan, Waltham On The Wolds
TIMEFORM VIEW Smart winning hurdler/chaser at his best for Noel Meade but has lost his way and offered little for new yard at Ascot/Cheltenham. Star RatingHHIII BHA 139 7 NO RISK DES FLOS (FR) (34) 011P-41 CD
7 11-2
Gr g No Risk At All (FR) - Marie Royale (FR) Jockey: Fergus Gregory Owner: Mrs Diana L. Whateley Trainer: Olly Murphy, Wilmcote Breeder: Clovis Bardin & Florence Bardin Sponsor: Cedar Invest Limited
TIMEFORM VIEW Useful 2m 4f winning hurdler for Johnny Farrelly. Placed first 3 starts over fences for this yard but needs to shrug off a below par run at Perth when last seen in August. Star RatingHHHII BHA 128 9 HEARTBREAK KID (IRE) (25) 21164-2
7 10-9
B g Getaway (GER) - Bella’s Bury Owner: Mr T. G. Leslie Breeder: Mr Finian Magner Jockey: Brian Hughes Trainer: Donald McCain, Cholmondeley Sponsor: Proactive Personnel Limited
TIMEFORM VIEW Opened his account at the eighth attempt over fences at Sedgefield in January. Found plenty for pressure to follow up at Uttoxeter (2m) 13 days later. Creditable second at Sandown on comeback and should be in the mix again. Star RatingHHHII BHA 127
DECLARED RUNNERS 9 2021: ECLAIR D’AINAY (FR) 7 10 2 Harry Skelton 4-1 (Dan Skelton) 6 ran
Hood worn by No. 8. Blinkers worn by No. 9. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 3, 5. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 2. Probable S.P’s: 3-1 No Risk des Flos (FR), 4-1 Cheddleton (GB), 5-1 Eclair D’ainay (FR), 7-1 Heartbreak Kid (IRE), 12-1 Friend Or Foe (FR), Malystic (GB), 18-1 Cornerstone Lad (GB), And The New (IRE), 28-1 Daly Tiger (FR)
PLAY SMARTER
CHEDDLETON was over 6 lengths behind Eclair d’Ainay when runner-up in this last year but he’s a stone better off with the winner on this occasion and Jennie Candlish’s charge is taken to go one better having had a pipe-opener over hurdles last month. No Risk des Flos looks progressive and is another to consider. TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.CHEDDLETON 2.NO RISK DES FLOS (FR) 3.ECLAIR D’AINAY (FR)
THE RESULT
William Hill will present a cash prize of £50 to the stablehand responsible for the Best Turned Out Horse in this race. They will also present a memento to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
GREAT BRITISH BONUS SCHEME
The Great British Bonus (GBB) offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000
per eligible race for British-bread fillies and mares.
