Racecards
16:20 Bangor-on-Dee
New tote British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 145y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £6,300 added
- Winner: £4,094
- 2nd: £1,202
- 3rd: £601
- 4th: £301
- Form 1/25-61
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey B S Hughes
tracked leaders, led 2 out, held on close home
- Form 225461
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Sean Quinlan
held up mid-division, went 4th before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held close home
- Form 02-9
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Groucott
- Jockey L Treadwell
tracked leaders, weakened and reminders before 4 out
- Form 315-8
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey David Bass
held up in mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
Stratagem (FR)
111- Form 1
- Age 4
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Mr D Maxwell
tracked leader, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form F-754
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
held up towards rear, raced wide, headway before 4 out, in 5th before 3 out, no impression
- Form PP
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D Burchell
- Jockey Ben Jones
towards rear, effort before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
Maisiebella
22- Form 4-074
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer J Groucott
- Jockey L Heard
led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
Stratagem, another fascinating French recruit to the David Maxwell academy and winner of his sole start at Auteuil last October, may well prove far too good for this field. However, he does have to prove himself on this first start in the UK and although he's sure to be ready to roll for the champion trainer, this might just be the time to take him on. Gaelik Coast caused a surprise at Doncaster yet there appeared no fluke about the performance, but STIMULATING SONG impressed with the manner of his victory at Wetherby and looks to be going the right way. He may be available at an each-way price if the Nicholls runner is heavily backed. Rollo is a newcomer to note.
Formwatch
Gaelik Coast (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, soon clear, ran on strongly, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan beating Sorbet (10-11) by 7l, 9 ran.
Stimulating Song 5-2 (11-2) In touch, smooth headway after 4 out, soon every chance, led 2 out, drew clear, readily, won at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Adicci (11-8) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Battletank (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Keen in mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 4 out, completely tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Stimulating Song (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Knocknagoshel (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Stimulating Song (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Muse Of Fire (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway when clipped heels and stumbled before 3 out, no impression in 4th last, 4th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Hijack (11-10) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Sadlermor (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chasing leaders on inside when went badly right 1st and lost place, towards rear and no chance after, 8th of 16, dist behind Son Of Camas (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Stratagem (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in Oct beating Solo (10-5) by 3l, 18 ran.
Waitonit (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In rear, several slow and big jumps, struggling before 3 out, soon behind, 4th of 5, dist behind Black Gerry (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Winged Isle 100-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, mistake and well behind 5th, pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Maisiebella 33-1 (10-9) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Fix Sun (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Rollo (IRE) Shirocco gelding out of Little Nest Egg.
Prince Escalus (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, held up towards rear and wide, ridden on wide outside 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 13, 26 3/4l behind Your Darling (11-5) at Newbury 2m (5) hvy in Jan.