Racecards
15:40 Ascot
Scanmoor Construction Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle (Class A)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 116211
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up towards rear, plenty to do 3 out, driven to chase leaders 2 out, no extra approaching last
Lingo (IRE)
27- Form 1
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
held up last, not fluent 3rd and 4th, headway to chase leaders 2 out and every chance, not fluent last, ran on again flat
Self Defense
14- Form 324P-12
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey F Keniry
held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
- Form 115-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey A P McCoy
led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on, lost 2nd flat
- Form 113-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
prominent, hard ridden after 7th, beaten when mistake 2 out
- Form 11
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey P Whelan
prominent, blundered 5th, chased leader 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
Loup (FR)
33- Form 2
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up behind, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out
- Form 1P0301
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
tracked leader, under pressure after 3 out, driven to lead 2 out, stayed on strongly, all out
Tomfoolary (IRE)
385- Form 30350/0-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Old
- Jockey M Bradburne
always behind, tailed off 7th
Xtra
325- Form 3-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Old
- Jockey L P Aspell
behind when pulled up after 2nd, dismounted
In depth
Verdict
A cracking contest rounds off the card with some good novices in opposition including Albuhera, Eric's Charm Lingo and Widemouth Bay and we will take a chance on Eric's Charm. The five year old from the Oliver Sherwood yard is unbeaten over hurdles to date. He easily beatMister Felix last time out and although he is taking a big step up in grade he looks the value bet in an open affair. Self Defense was fourth in last years champion hurdle and if he could reproduce that effort he would be hard to beat. However he was second behind Inglis Drever last time and he will have to improve on that effort to win this. Albuhera has been a credit to connections but he may struggle to give weight and a beating to some unexposed rivals. Lingo was a fair sort on the flat and made a pleasing debut over hurdles but it is debatable as to weather this stiff track will play to his strengths. Widemouth Bay is another that could go well he was a fair sort in bumpers and although he won well on his hurdling debut he was far from fluent at a few of the obstacles and he will need to brush up in that department to score. Of the remainder Liberty Seeker is held in high regard by his astute trainer and is worth noting in the market. But in what is probably the best novices hurdle to date this season we will side with Eric's Charm.