Racecards
14:40 Carlisle
Betfred Million Beginners' Chase (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 5-09232
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 115
held up in touch, blundered badly, rider lost iron 9th, led 2 out, driven out
- Form 538-2U
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P C Haslam
- Jockey P Merrigan
tracked leaders, led 5th, hit, headed 9th, ridden to lead again approaching 3 out, headed next, stayed on towards finish
- Form 05P/PPP
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey D McGann
chased leaders, weakening when hit 8th, detached when fell 10th
- Form 076F75
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 72
towards rear, headway, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
- Form 5/13-U65
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer R T Phillips
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
led to 5th, led again 9th, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
- Form 752596
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
in rear, took close order approaching 8th, outpaced from 10th, never dangerous
- Form 2-3PF34
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer A R Dicken
- Jockey K Mercer
in touch, lost place approaching 8th
- Form 554/22-P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
tracked leader, out paced approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from next
- Form 23P223
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Miss Kate Milligan
- Jockey D C Costello
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
The vote here goes to Great As Gold ahead of Henry's Pride and Dark Ben. Dark Ben, Great As Gold and Sharp Jack have achieved ratings between 110 and 115, so there is not too much to choose between them based on their achievements. We prefer the first two to the latter, with Great As Gold getting the nod, especially as the trip and going will hold no fears. That said, Henry's Pride finished just in front of him at Sedgefield last time on his chasing debut and rates a danger to all. Uptown Lad has a bit to prove based on hurdling form, as has Sports Express, who is making his chasing debut. Overall, though, the vote stays with Great As Gold.
Formwatch
Great As Gold (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 10th, went 2nd after 14th, ridden after 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 9l behind Ardaghey (11-4) at Towcester 3m beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Henry's Pride (IRE) 13-8fav (10-13) Tracked leaders until unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Squires Lane (11-1) at Southwell 3m beg chs (4) sft in Feb, 6 ran.
Moonzie Laird (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Behind, struggling 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by King Killone (11-12) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Political Cruise 66-1 (9-13) Mid-division, brief effort 4 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 19, 26l behind Seymar Lad (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Sharp Jack (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden when mistake 9th, headway 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 17, 21l behind Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Behind, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 17l behind Torkinking (11-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Wild About Harry 10-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, close up halfway, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 7, 29l behind Farington Lodge (10-13) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Sports Express 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, lost place 6th, behind when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Rathowen (11-7) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Dark Ben (FR) 9-4fav (10-11) Led to 7th, chased winner, lost place 3 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on approaching last, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Vicario (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Feb.