Racecards
15:15 Carlisle
Azure Handicap (Class 5)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 5f
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 9/00870
- Age 5
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer B Smart
- Jockey D McGaffin
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
- Form 005670
- Age 9
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
prominent, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Form 80625-0
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey R Winston
dwelt, towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, one pace final furlong
- Form 0-73009
- Age 5
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 59
- Trainer A D Brown
- Jockey Willie Supple
led, headed over 1f out, weakened
- Form 460900
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer J F Coupland
- Jockey Tony Culhane
chased leaders, effort and chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
- Form 48-8002
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Dale Gibson
mid-division, headway halfway, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly
- Form 0-00200
- Age 7
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 59
- Trainer J S Wainwright
- Jockey F Lynch
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace under pressure
- Form 305502
- Age 9
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 52
towards rear, pushed along and headway halfway, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on
- Form 409693
- Age 4
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 50
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 40-0680
- Age 8
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 40
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
In depth
Verdict
Sir Sandrovitch is not the force of old but hinted at a return to form last time and so is selected over Trick Cyclist, Obe Bold and Brigadore. With Richard Fahey firing in plenty of winners over the past fortnight, hopes are high that Sir Sandrovitch can turn back the clock and register a 12th career win. Despite dropping down to a rating in the low 50's, he has been difficult to place of late, but having had a month off, he caught the eye in no uncertain terms at Beverley just three days ago, staying on really well from the back to finish a close second to Flying Tackle. Turned out quickly in a bid to strike while the iron is hot, he can make the most of a decent draw in stall seven. The form of Trick Cyclist's second to Trinculo has been advertised again by the winner, and it would be no shock if he were to figure in the finish either. Obe Bold ran well at Chester but is dropped back in trip here, while Brigadore was a beaten favourite at Leicester last time. He appears held by Sir Sandrovitch as well on today's terms, having come out on top when they met at Pontefract in June, and it is to the latter that we return as the answer.
Formwatch
Bond Becks (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 18, 15l behind Currency (8-13) at York 6f hcp (4) gd.
Blackheath (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders over 3f, 14th of 17, 14l behind Borderlescott (8-0) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Brigadore 10-3jt-fav (10-13) Slowly into stride, switched right start, headway over 2f out, left over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 6l behind Effective (10-8) at Leicester 5f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Vigorous (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Raced keenly stands side, held up, outpaced 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, 12l behind Aahgowangowan (9-6) at Thirsk 6f fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Blue Maeve 16-1 (8-5) Slowly away, behind and never dangerous, 9th of 11, 11l behind Rudi's Pet (8-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4) gf.
Never Without Me 66-1 (7-12) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon faded, 10th of 15, 7l behind Sierra Vista (9-5) at Newmarket 5f hcp (4) gs.
Trick Cyclist 12-1 (9-10) In touch, chased winner 2f out, soon ridden, kept on but no impression final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Trinculo (9-12) at Newcastle 5f clm (6) gd in Jun.
Tommy Smith 10-1 (9-0) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 17, 5l behind Bluebok (9-8) at Haydock 5f hcp (5) gf.
Sir Sandrovitch (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 19, nk behind Flying Tackle (9-5) at Beverley 5f hcp (6) gf.
Obe Bold (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Not much room soon after start, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Highland Cascade (9-9) at Chester 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
Alfie Lee (IRE) 100-1 (7-12) Behind, switched right over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 14l behind Rudi's Pet (8-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4) gf.