13:40 Chepstow 27 Dec 2022
Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle
Grade 2 | GBB Race | Class 1 | 3YO only
Winner £29,720 - 9 ran
towards rear, headway into 3rd before 3 out, shaken up and led after 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on gamely when challenged run-in, did enough
tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced home turn, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, pressed leader last, every chance run-in, held closing stages
towards rear, not much room on bend after 4 out and shuffled back, headway into 4th before 3 out, ridden and chased leader on run to last, stayed on, not pace to challenge
handy, pushed along 3 out, kept on, ridden and no extra before last
in rear, in touch, some headway 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, beaten when hampered by faller last
mid-division, pushed along home turn, no response
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
prominent, hit 2nd, pushed along and beaten 3 out
soon led, awkward 3rd, not fluent 5th or 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, gradually fading when fell last
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £2.08 |
| CSF | £7.89 (3, 10) |
| Tricast | £19.62 (3, 10, 7) |
| Win | £1.91 (3) |
| Place | £1.10 (3), £1.70 (10), £1.80 (7) |
| Swinger | £2.50 (3, 7), £1.50 (3, 10), £4.10 (7, 10) |
| Exacta | £6.70 (3, 10) |
| Trifecta | £26.00 (3, 10, 7) |
Expert Analysis
Not always an especially significant juvenile hurdle in the wider scheme of things, though Defi Du Seuil won this in 2016 before landing the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and Allmankind/Adagio won before getting placed at Cheltenham in recent years. This year’s race had some depth to it and probably represents useful form, the pace steadying mid-race but decent otherwise. This was run in heavy rain, and the ground (initially “good to soft”) was soft judged on times from this point on.
COMFORT ZONE (h136 here and previously) landed the odds though not without a scare, paying a compliment to Lossiemouth (who had beaten him the time before) in the process, though that filly had already had significantly advanced her cause the day before as it is. Held up travelling strongly and jumping well, he briefly looked like winning well when sent on after 2 out but soon had a fight on his hands, wandering a bit and driven out. He is likely to be a two-miler for the time being.
DIXON COVE (h134 here, 128 previously) is a likeable type who ran really well under a penalty, getting tapped for toe turning in but rallying to make it tight from approaching the last. She merits respect in these sorts of events, especially when her stamina gets tested.
PERSEUS WAY (h132 here, 129 previously) ran up to his best, likely to need to improve to win at this level, held up before staying on into third after 3 out, wandering but keeping on.
THE CHURCHILL LAD (h121 here and previously) ran at least as well as could be expected, close up for a long way. Handicaps are likely to be on the agenda before long.
SPARTAN ARMY (h110 here, 119 previously) found this too big a step up at one go following his Wetherby hurdling debut win but is the type do better in due course (fairly useful winner on the flat for Joseph O’Brien), held up and making only brief headway.
JUPITER ALLEN (h 99 here, 118 previously)
MEDYAF (h103 here, 125 previously)
HAVAILA (h69 here, 119 previously)
FILS DE ROI (h130? here, 128 previously) was weakening when falling at the last, having led, but would probably have been only a couple of lengths behind the third, which represents another borderline useful performance.
Video Highlights
-
Replay: 13:40 Chepstow 27th Dec 2022
