Racecards
13:15 Ascot
Howden Graduation Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2)
- 3 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 8y
- Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £50,000 added
- Winner: £26,015
- 2nd: £11,960
- 3rd: £5,980
- 4th: £2,990
- Form 1221P-2
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
led, joined 4 out, headed next, tracked winner, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace
- Form 11444-2
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer Sheila Lewis
- Jockey Sean Houlihan
tracked leader until 7th, tracked leaders, soon lost ground, ridden 5 out, struggling from 3 out
- Form 22212-3
- Age 4
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, joined leader 4 out, led next, ridden approaching last, ran on
In depth
Verdict
Straw Fan Jack may have been a bit flattered by his proximity to Pic D’Orhy in an eventful Grade 2 here last month and the latter’s stablemate SOLO should have his measure in this after a promising reappearance in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Excello recorded a win and two seconds in three runs over fences at Auteuil so a return to chasing will suit but he appears to have plenty to find at the weights.
Formwatch
Solo (FR) 11-4jfav (10-10) Led until 2nd, chased winner, mistake 6th, led again 4 out, headed next, ridden and stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Elixir De Nutz (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Straw Fan Jack 40-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 12th, ridden to press winner next, weakened approaching 2 out, 2nd of 4, 16l behind Pic D'Orhy (11-10) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Excello (FR) 5-4fav (10-13) Tracked winner until 5 out, tracked leaders, switched left approaching last, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Farnoge (11-5) at Ascot 2m 6f (2) gd in Nov.