Racecards
15:15 Fakenham
At The Races Sky 415 Novices' Chase (Class 3)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 3m 38y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £12,000 added
- Winner: £7,798
- 2nd: £2,290
- 3rd: £1,145
- 4th: £572
- Form 111162
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Bryony Frost
led, still going well when landed awkwardly and unseated rider
- Form 2426-31
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 11th, left clear 3 out, pressed next, ridden and stayed on gamely
- Form 444564
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer M C Chapman
- Jockey Graham Carson
close up in rear, outpaced 11th, finish in own time
- Form 12122-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey David Bass
tracked leader until ridden 11th, tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, ridden to press winner from next, stayed on
In depth
Verdict
Bagad Bihoue won his first four starts over fences but has come up short the last twice now. Sam Red opened his account over the larger obstacles with a recent victory at Stratford and this longer trip shouldn't be a problem but THUMB STONE BLUES is just preferred. The latter found a couple of higher rated rivals too good on level terms at Worcester on his chasing debut and Kim Bailey’s charge should make a bold bid with normal progress. Rated only 52, The Society Man makes up the numbers but will collect some prize money with a clear round.
Formwatch
Bagad Bihoue (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Led sole rival, ridden after 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon beaten, last of 2, 9l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gs in Sep.
Sam Red (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 7f (4) sft in Oct beating Some Are Lucky (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
The Society Man (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) In touch on outside, 2nd from 2nd until before 4th, outpaced 7th, well beaten 4th 3 out, 4th of 5, 23l behind Chitu (11-12) at Towcester 2m (4) gf in Oct.
Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge on inside 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Ballymalin (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gs in Sep.