Racecards
18:20 Chepstow
Sun Trade Windows Handicap Chase (Class 5)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £3,200 added
- Winner: £2,082
- 2nd: £611
- 3rd: £306
- 4th: £153
- Form 286494
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Mark Gillard
- Jockey T J Phelan
in rear, not fluent 3rd, clipped heels before bend after 11th, in touch 12th, soon ridden, lost touch after 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
- Form U56634
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer R H Buckler
- Jockey A Glassonbury
led until 2nd, tracked leaders, mistake 14th, led approaching 5 out, headed before last, rallied flat to get back up post (no time taken)
- Form P-F6443
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer R T Phillips
- Jockey T Siddall
prominent, lost place 12th, behind 14th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 5 out
- Form 3-P7621
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey Mr Tom David
held up, not fluent 8th, headway to lead 12th, headed approaching 5 out, not fluent and rallied 2 out, led approaching last, headed post
- Form 622242
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey M J Quinlan
held up in rear, reminder after 11th, headway next, weakened approaching 5 out
- Form 4/75342
- Age 10
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer J A Geake
- Jockey A Thornton
chased leaders, blundered 13th, 4th approaching 5 out, weakened before 3 out
- Form 97P533
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer N R Mitchell
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leaders, led 7th, mistake and headed 11th, mistakes 12th and 13th, 3rd and beaten 2 out, weakened last
- Form 68-4P23
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 62
led 2nd, headed 7th, led 11th, ridden and headed when not fluent 12th, weakened approaching 15th, pulled up after 5 out
In depth
Verdict
Ethiopia finished behind the enigmatic Zimbabwe at Plumpton last month but is fancied to turn the tables on better terms here, though he's become disappointing himself lately. It's a long time since veteran Kiltimoney last visited the winner's circle while Bobby Donald is still a maiden after 10 starts over fences. Ballyman has become frustrating to follow, while You Can Of Course returns from a break here so this is probably best left to MIDNIGHT DIAMOND. Tim Vaughan's charge showed his liking for a test of stamina when winning by 40 lengths over 3m4f at Sedgefield in January and is only 5lb higher now.
Formwatch
Casual Garcia 28-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, slow 13th, soon lost place, detatched before 6 out, moderate 4th, last of 4, well behind Fin Vin De Leu (11-3) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Ethiopia 7-4fav (10-3) Led until 2nd, chased leader until dropped to 4th after 4th, dropped to rear and driven 8th, went modest 4th after 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, 25l behind Absolute Shambles (10-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced 5 out, chased leading pair from last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Bardolet (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 9-2 (10-3) Made all, clear from 9th, unchallenged, very easily, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan beating Ontrack (11-2) by 40l, 12 ran.
You Can of Course (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) Tracked leading pair, headway 11th, chased winner 4 out, tried to challenge between last 2, went right and no impression last, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Portrait Royale (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Ballyman (IRE) 11-4fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, closed 4 out, pressed winner 3 out, stayed on flat, not pace of rival, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Goring One (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Kiltimoney (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, led 8th, headed 10th, stayed well there, chance when pecked 5 out, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Ilewin Tom (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Zimbabwe (FR) 13-2 (9-11) Pressed leader, led 2nd, reminders 6th, headed after next, stayed in touch under pressure, went modest 3rd before 3 out, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Absolute Shambles (10-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.