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14:55 Haydock Park

Victor Ludorum Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (Class B )

  • 6 Runners
  • Distance: 2m
  • Going: Soft (Chase: Soft, Heavy in places)
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 4m 3.10s
  • 6 Ran
Go to Full Result
1
Silk -

Akilak (IRE)

4/9

    2
    Silk -

    Karelian

    11/2

      1
      Silk - White, Black braces, chevrons on sleeves, striped cap

      Akilak (IRE)

      21
      4/9
      • Form 1
      • Age 4
      • Weight 11-8

      held up in touch, challenged on bit 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, edged left run-in, kept on

      2
      Silk - PINK, EMERALD GREEN cross belts, armlets and spots on cap

      Karelian

      22
      11/2
      • Form 21
      • Age 4
      • Weight 11-8

      with leader, led 3rd, headed 2 out, soon ridden, every chance flat, one pace

      3
      Silk - Yellow, Black triple diamond and armlets

      Calomeria

      53 CD
      12/1
      • Form 11615P
      • Age 4
      • Weight 11-1
      • Official Rating 115

      led, to 3rd, remained close up, ridden and weakened 2 out

      4
      Silk - ROYAL BLUE, EMERALD GREEN sleeves, WHITE cap, EMERALD GREEN spots

      Andre Chenier (IRE)

      6
      66/1
      • Form 05
      • Age 4
      • Weight 10-12

      held up in rear, ridden and weakened 2 out

      5
      Silk - Black and Mauve stripes, Mauve sleeves, Black cap

      Biscar Two (IRE)

      21 b
      7/1
      • Form 334325
      • Age 4
      • Weight 10-12
      • Official Rating 129

      tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, outpaced from 3 out

      6
      Silk - Royal Blue, White chevron, diamonds on sleeves, check cap

      Protective

      C
      20/1
      • Age 4
      • Weight 10-12

      held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, mistake last, one pace

      In depth

      Verdict

      Howard Johnson can strike again with Akilak, who can justify his position in the Triumph Hurdle betting by handing out a beating to Karelian and Biscar Two, who look the only ones that can provide him with a test today. That said, Protective was rated in a similar bracket when he raced on the Flat and it will be interesting to note if any money arrives to back-up the claims held by James Given's hurdles debutante. Karelian has created a good impression in each of his hurdles starts so far. He made a mockery of his starting price when winning at Doncaster and represents a bigger danger to the selection than Biscar Two, who was made to look ordinary when the pair met at Cheltenham last month. Granted Akilak was a surprise winner on that day. However, it was the manner in which he quickened past some useful types that really caught the eye and he is very hard to oppose in this easier company today.

      Formwatch

      Akilak (IRE) 50-1 Held up, smooth headway after 3 out, travelling strongly to challenge before last, drew clear run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan beating Yankeedoodledandy by 6l, 16 ran.

      Karelian 9-1 Prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, hit last, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (C) gd in Jan beating Nation State by 3l, 16 ran.

      Calomeria 20-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Phar Bleu at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (A) hvy in Dec, 16 ran.

      Andre Chenier (IRE) 25-1 Held up in mid-division, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression when hit last, 5th of 12, 13l behind Faasel at Ayr 2m nov hdl (D) hvy.

      Protective 66-1 Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, soon beaten, 16th of 24, 44l behind Carte Diamond at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (B1) sft in Nov (Flat).