Unicorn Group Handicap Chase |
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| Handicap, Cheltenham 14:30 £45,000 added, 4yo plus, 3m 2f, Grade 3  |
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| Friday 15th December 2017 | |
1 Robinsfirth 7/4
2 Shanroe Santos 8/1
3 Southfield Theatre 11/2
5 ran NR: Mysteree Distances: 2l, 9l, 6l
Time: 7m 5.00s (slow by 39.00s)
Robinsfirth storms up the Cheltenham hill for Robbie Power and Colin Tizzard
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Robinsfirth tracked the leader Southfield Theatre (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden, 11st 12lb, 11/2) before taking the lead two fences from home. He stayed on resolutely to see off the challenge of Shanroe Santos (Lucy Wadham/Leighton Aspell, 10st 5lb, 8/1) by two lengths with Southfield Theatre another nine lengths back in third.
Colin Tizzard said: “It’s no secret that I wanted to go for the Welsh National with Robinsfirth but the owners (Christine Knowles & Wendy Carter) weren’t going to let me go for that race. We found the right race today – it’s beautiful prize money.
“For a big horse, he was in deep and long but was fine. He has just about reached his potential. He was nearly brought down at Haydock and that was testing ground. This ground wasn’t as bad – it’s winter ground but we can’t complain.
“I have mentioned the Grand National but the owners have said no. I have a few more weeks to work on that one!”
Robbie Power commented: “Robinsfirth jumped really well and he is still a big baby with not a lot of miles on the clock. All credit to his owners (Christine Knowles and Wendy Carter) – they are two lovely ladies and have been very, very patient with him.
“He is a gorgeous, big horse and just got bogged down a bit at Haydock last time. He was much better on the better ground today.”
Bishops Cleeve Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
£60,000 added, 4yo plus, 3m 2f, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Robinsfirth (IRE) 7/4 | R M Power 11-6 |
C L Tizzard | 8 | |
| 2nd | 2 | Shanroe Santos (IRE) 8/1 | L P Aspell 10-5 |
Mrs L Wadham | 8 |
| 3rd | 9 | Southfield Theatre (IRE) 11/2 | Harry Cobden 11-12 |
P F Nicholls | 9 |
| 4th | 6 | Wotzizname (IRE) 5/4f | N D Fehily 11-4 |
H Fry | 7 |
| 5th | 2¼ | Abracadabra Sivola (FR) 25/1 | David Noonan 10-7 |
D Pipe | 7 |
| WN | Mysteree (IRE) | R T Dunne 11-2 |
M Scudamore | 9 |
