Racecards
16:25 Ascot
Jock Scott Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (Class D)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good
- Form 112
- Age 4
- Weight 11-10
always in rear, tailed off
- Form 1234
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
held up in 7th off the pace, closed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
- Form 2242
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up in 4th off the pace, headway to chase clear leader 4 out, challenged and disputed 2nd at last, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
Flake
49- Form 3225
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
pulled hard and always in rear, tailed off
Peppershot
30- Form 3355
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G Enright
- Jockey R Thornton
always in rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up off fast pace, steady headway from 4 out, tracked leaders after next, challenged last, driven to lead flat, drew clear
Versus (GER)
42- Form 23
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey Dave Crosse
mistakes, always behind, struggling from 4th, tailed off
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey S Durack
chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Whist Drive
54- Form 6343
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs N Smith
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up in 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, one pace and no chance when hit 2 out
- Form 00
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs A Hamilton-Fairley
- Jockey P Hide
chased clear leader, mistake 5th, lost 2nd 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
led and clear from 3rd, came back to field after 4 out, not fluent last, headed flat, soon no impression on winner, 2nd near finish
In depth
Verdict
An interesting juvenile hurdle where plenty can be given chances. However, preference is for Versus, who has shown plenty of promise in both his starts for Charlie Mann and may represent more in the way of value than either Mioche D'Estruval and Croix De Guerre today. The Garry Moore-trained Earlsfield Raider is another to consider though as he has continued to hold his own in decent company since being tried over hurdles at the start of the season. However, he was held by the selection when they met at Sandown in a similar contest at the start of last month and will do well to reverse the form as he is 1lb worse off today. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Selvas does throw a spanner in the works as he is hard to weigh-up in the context of this race. However, it is probably safe to assume that he would have been seen out earlier in the season had he been burning up the gallops at home. Croix De Guerre has never really looked to be the most straightforward of characters but he did shape as if there are races to be won with him last time and he is one to note in running today. Whereas Mioche D'Estruval has a little to prove after emptying tamely at Plumpton and has it all to do here under his double penalty. Therefore, Versus, who won over a mile and a half on the Flat in Germany, makes more appeal as the lesser exposed of the fancied runners in the line up this afternoon. The son of Highest Honour possesses a good turn of foot and he is expected to put it to good use in the closing stages here.