Festival Plate 2019 Racecard
The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Festival Plate is a Grade 3 run over two miles and five furlongs on the New Course at Cheltenham with a total of 17 fences to jump. The race is a handicap race that takes place on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
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4:10
Thursday 14 March |
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Distance: 20f 127y Age: 5yo + Prize: £110000 Going: Good to Soft (soft in places) |
| FORM | SILKS | HORSE | AGE | ODDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENTRY | JOCKEY & TRAINER | WGT | ||
| 182111-22 |
|
JANIKA (FR)
4
|
6 11-12 | |
| 1 |
J: Daryl Jacob
T: Nicky Henderson Won 3 of his 4 starts over fences in France for Guy Cherel and has shaped well on both starts in Britain, latterly when head second of 11 to Siruh du Lac in Grade 3 handicap over C&D. More to come. |
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| 11135/12-F |
|
RIVER WYLDE (IRE)
3
|
8 11-6 | |
| 2 |
J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson Third in 2017 Supreme and looked sure to make a winning return after a year off/wind surgery before falling at the last in minor event chase at Haydock in November. Opening mark potentially lenient. |
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| 12357-143 |
|
SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (IRE)
4
|
7 11-3 | |
| 3 |
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton Fifth in last season's County Hurdle and made an impressive winning start over fences at Chepstow in October. Confirmed that promise when third to Kildisart over C&D and interesting from 1 lb higher. |
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| F185-1037 |
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MODUS
3
|
9 11-3 | |
| 4 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: Paul Nicholls Started the season with a bang when winning over 2m here in October. His jumping has largely held him back since but he's on a workable mark if putting it altogether. |
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| 12143-FU4 |
|
KALONDRA (IRE)
3
|
8 11-3 | |
| 5 |
J: Noel Fehily
T: Neil Mulholland Smart chaser who would have gone close but for departing late on at Galway in August. Disappointing on final outing at Haydock but freshened up since and could be a player with a clear round. |
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| 38-026093 |
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VALSEUR LIDO (FR)
3
|
10 11-1 | |
| 6 |
J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland One-time useful chaser who took a much-needed step back in the right direction when third of 6 to Rathvinden in Grade 3 at Fairyhouse (25f) 19 days ago. |
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| 3/111d5-P13 |
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KAUTO RIKO (FR)
2
|
8 11-1 | |
| 7 |
J: David Noonan
T: Tom Gretton Quickly bettered hurdles form over fences, passing the post in front first 3 starts last season. Back in winning groove at Haydock in December but this mark proved beyond him at Wetherby next time. |
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| 1271-6P43 |
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BIGMARTRE (FR)
3
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8 11-0 | |
| 8 |
J: Gavin Sheehan
T: Harry Whittington Thrived over fences as a novice, winning a Grade 2 at Ayr on final start of last season. By no means disgraced in handicaps off slightly higher marks the last twice but looks vulnerable all the same. |
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| 10594-407 |
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POLIDAM (FR)
3
|
10 10-13 | |
| 9 |
J: P. Townend
T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland Despite failing to trouble the judge in 7 starts since his latest success at Navan in December 2017, he remains 6 lb above that winning mark. Others preferred. |
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| 9P-821333 |
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BALLYHILL (FR) | 8 10-12 | |
| 10 |
J: Non Runner
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies Bagged a big pot here on New Year's Day last year and has acquitted himself well over C&D twice this season, albeit was beaten around 9 lengths by Siruh Du Lac and Janika in latter. NON RUNNER. |
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| 30/76BP-16 |
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BOUVREUIL (FR)
3
|
8 10-12 | |
| 11 |
J: Richie McLernon
T: Ben Haslam Smart chaser in his pomp and appeared to win with plenty up his sleeve on return/debut for new yard at Wetherby in December. However, failed to fire there next time and since undergone wind surgery. |
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| 4/P113-111 |
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SIRUH DU LAC (FR)
5
|
6 10-11 | |
| 12 |
J: Lizzie Kelly
T: Nick Williams Taken extremely well to chasing, winning 5 of his last 6 starts, once again jumping superbly and proving very game when scoring in Grade 3 handicap over C&D last time. Has to be shortlisted. |
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| P7P13/1- |
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SOME BUCKLE (IRE)
2
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10 10-10 | |
| 13 |
J: Harry Bannister
T: Richard Bandey Enhanced his excellent record fresh when ready winner of 6-runner handicap chase at Newton Abbot (21f) 10 months ago. However, left Tom George cheaply in August and others more persuasive. |
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| 41-414FP8 |
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TEMPLEHILLS (IRE)
3
|
8 10-10 | |
| 14 |
J: Tom Bellamy
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies Rather all-or-nothing performer, following his Warwick reappearance victory with a string low-key efforts. Ballyhill appears to be the stable first-string. |
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| 264-63123 |
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DOITFORTHEVILLAGE (IRE)
3
|
10 10-10 | |
| 15 |
J: Paddy Brennan
T: Paul Henderson Sixth in last season's Grand Annual and is going through a good spell at the moment, not seen to best effect when never-nearer at Warwick (20f) last time. Remains on a fair mark. |
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| 33131775 |
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VOIX D'EAU (FR)
2
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9 10-9 | |
| 16 |
J: Callum Bewley
T: Lucinda Russell Successful on 2 of his last 3 starts for Harry Fry (at 20f) but is yet to make an impact for current stable. |
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| 9/1110P-60 |
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TESTIFY (IRE)
2
|
8 10-9 | |
| 17 |
J: William Kennedy
T: Donald McCain Landed first 3 outings over fences last term, including Grade 2 at Haydock. Struggled here and at the Aintree festival last spring, though, and well held both starts so far this season. |
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| 2412/4-0PU |
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GARDEFORT (FR)
3
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10 10-7 | |
| 18 |
J: Hugh Nugent
T: Venetia Williams Ran a stormer when runner-up in Grand Annual at this meeting in 2017. 5 lb lower in the weights now but fair to say things haven’t gone to plan since. |
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| 72-4031F1 |
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AZZERTI (FR)
3
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7 10-7 | |
| 19 |
J: Wayne Hutchinson
T: Alan King Made the most of a very good opportunity to double his career tally in this sphere at Ludlow (20f) 22 days ago, hard held. Faces much stiffer opposition now but his mark doesn't look a bad one. |
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| 07-43UP14 |
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ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR)
3
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7 10-7 | |
| 20 |
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls Back to winning ways in 4-runner Taunton handicap in January. Followed that with a creditable effort off this mark in valuable event at Kempton since and he's not without hope. |
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| 319P-8561 |
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EAMON AN CNOIC (IRE)
3
|
8 10-7 | |
| 21 |
J: Tom Scudamore
T: David Pipe All the better for wind surgery when winning 8-runner handicap at Chepstow (2m) 19 days ago, forging clear. His record suggests he's far from certain to be in the same form, though. |
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| 17P82-5P8 |
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SPLASH OF GINGE
2
|
11 10-7 | |
| 22 |
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies Not the most reliable and has failed to fire on his last 2 starts. However, he also arrived on the back of several low-key efforts when hitting the crossbar off the same mark in this race in 2018. |
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| 0/3333-2F6 |
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KING'S ODYSSEY (IRE)
2
|
10 10-7 | |
| 23 |
J: Adam Wedge
T: Evan Williams Solid placed efforts all 4 starts last term, 3 of which were here, including 2018 renewal of this race. 2 lb lower this time round but needs to bounce back following a below-par shift at Chepstow. |
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| 23P-37118 |
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DIDERO VALLIS (FR)
2
|
6 10-5 | |
| 24 |
J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams Useful hurdler during time with Willie Mullins, and notched couple of handicap chases for new yard in December. Well held at Kempton last time, though, and probably too high in the weights for now. |
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Analyst's Verdict
SIRUH DU LAC has progressed with each run this season, once again jumping superbly when scoring by a head from Janika in a Grade 3 handicap over C&D in January. Open to further improvement, a 7 lb rise looks scalable and he can complete a fourth straight win. There’s more to come from Janika, while Spiritofthegames’ third to Kildisart isn’t form to be scoffed at, either.
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It first took place in 1951 in memory of 2nd Baron Mildmay of Flete who rode three winners at the Festival as an amateur National Hunt jockey.
There are two horses who have won the race twice – The Tsarevich (1985, 1986) and Elfast (1992, 1994).
Fred Winter is the leading jockey, having tasted victory three times – on Slender (1951 – dead heat), Sy Oui (1953) and Caesar’s Helm (1958).
There are three leading trainers. Bobby Renton – Tudor Line (1954), Caesar's Helm (1958), Siracusa (1959), Merry Court (1968). Nicky Henderson – The Tsarevich (1985, 1986), Liberthine (2005), Non So (2006). Martin Pipe – Terao (1997), Majadou (1999), Dark Stranger (2000), Blowing Wind (2002).
Festival Plate 2019 FAQs
What is the distance of the Festival Plate?
2 miles and 5 furlongs
How many fences are jumped in the Festival Plate?
17
What day of the festival is the Festival Plate?
Day 3
What time is the Festival Plate?
16:10
What weights are carried for the Festival Plate?
This is a handicap race.
What is the purse for the Festival Plate?
£100,000 (2016)
Who is the leading jockey in the Festival Plate?
Since the turn of the century, Richard Johnson, Tom Scudamore and Bryan Cooper have won this race twice. The all-time leading jockey is Fred Winter who won this race three times.
Who is the leading trainer in the Festival Plate?
The leading active trainer is Nicky Henderson with four race wins, but Bobby Renton and Martin Pipe also have 4 victories in this race.
Who won the Festival Plate?
You can check out our Festival Plate results page here to see a list of previous winners.
Where can I compare the odds for the Festival Plate?
Click the link to visit our Festival Plate Odds Comparison page.
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