Racecards
16:15 Ascot
Inkerman Handicap Chase (Class 2)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £35,000 added
- Form 542446
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer C Llewellyn
- Jockey Paul Moloney
prominent, led 6th until blundered badly 9th, gradually faded
- Form 2519-61
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up behind, blundered badly 9th, pulled up after next
- Form 335391
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 144
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
led until after 6th, chased leaders, ridden approaching 11th, soon one pace
- Form 412820
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up towards rear, outpaced 11th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
- Form 223813
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey C Poste
held up behind, mistake 4th, heaway from 11th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on
- Form 2521F4
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey Miss R Davidson
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 7th, went 2nd after 10th, every chance when not much room and hit 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form 0-6F630
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
in touch until blundered and unseated rider 9th
- Form 3-FB38F
- Age 11
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders, hit 7th, soon dropped to rear, mistake 9th, pulled up before 4 out
Misty Dancer
15- Form 21-8140
- Age 8
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey L Treadwell
mid-division, hit 8th, smooth headway from 12th, led 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out
- Form FF-706U
- Age 8
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
mid-division, hit 1st, headway and close 3rd when hit 11th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
- Form 4-61112
- Age 9
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey B Fenton
in touch, took closer order 3 out, pressed winner from 2 out, every chance flat, held close home
- Form 452244
- Age 12
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D O'Meara
in touch, went 2nd 7th, led 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten
In depth
Verdict
This is a really competitive handicap chase and we will side with Tamarinbleu to get the better of Hoo La Baloo and Royal Shakespeare. The selection won over a longer trip last time when narrowly out-gunning Crozan in a tight finish on this track. He showed a really good attitide that day and with no trip or ground worries here he looks to hold a leading chance. Hoo La Baloo also won last time when beating Cedar Chief at Sandown but he is dropped significantly in trip today and he looks to have more on his plate this afternoon. He should be capable of getting competitive though, along with Royal Shakespeare who beat Trouble at Bay over 2m at Kempton last time. The latter will enjoy this ground and as that latest effort was his first try over the chase fences he should come on for the experience. Bishop's Bridge does not know how to run a bad race these days so looks to have solid each-way claims, but Tamarinbleu is a smart performer and can lead them home.
Formwatch
Mister McGoldrick 33-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, always behind, 6th of 10, 27l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs.
Tamarinbleu (FR) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, not fluent and headed after last, ran on to lead again last strides, gamely, won at Ascot 2m 5f chs (2) gs in Dec beating Crozan (11-7) by a shd, 6 ran.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 4-5fav (12-10) In touch, headway to track leaders 12th, went 2nd at 16th, led 4 out, clear next, very easily, won at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft beating Cedar Chief (11-7) by 13l, 13 ran.
Kalca Mome (FR) 12-1 (11-2) In rear, brief effort 10th, hit 12th, struggling 4 out, 10th of 11, 47l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft.
Magic Sky (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outer 3 out, hampered bend over 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Festive Chimes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Always behind, 18th of 23, 45l behind Andreas (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Prominent, ridden to challenge after 3 out, every chance from 2 out, kept on well from last, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Avitta (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 6-4jt-fav (11-2) Held up in 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, closed to lead soon after 3 out, in command when mistake 2 out, driven clear, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gs in Jan beating Trouble At Bay (11-7) by 10l, 6 ran.