Racecards
14:45 Folkestone
Tote Bookmakers Chase (Showcase Handicap) (Class E)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Form P1122/P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up, mistake 6th, blundered 10th, headway 4 out, weakened after next
- Form 5F2P11
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
held up, mistake 6th, in touch when blundered and unseated rider 11th
- Form 411-144
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey D Flavin
prominent until weakened quickly approaching 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Kentford Fern
420- Form 1044/64-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey A Thornton
led, jumped well, joined and mistake last, soon headed, rallied gamely under pressure flat, held close home
- Form 6P-1112
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
patiently ridden, held up well in rear, headway on bit after 3 out, challenged last, soon led, driven out flat
- Form 514-83F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss S Smith
- Jockey B Hitchcott
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened after 3 out
- Form 5P/0PU-1
- Age 10
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer N Mitchell
- Jockey Mr R Young
tracked leader, mistake and lost place from 13th, tailed off when blundered and fell last
- Form 5-672PP
- Age 10
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer Capt J George
- Jockey T Doyle
in touch, ridden from 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Topweight Bear On Board had some decent form over hurdles a couple of seasons ago but this former Irish point winner has clearly had his problems and there was little sign of encouragement to be gleaned from his return to action after 21 months off at Bangor in November. The Venetia Williams-trained Lucys Lad has obvious claims following wins in soft ground at Fontwell and Leicester on Boxing Day and New Year's Day respectively. The son of Le Moss again has conditions to suit and has to be respected but a further 8lb hike in the weights for his most recent success may prevent a third win in a short space of time. Cresswell Quay has done nothing wrong all season with wins at Newton Abbot, Warwick and Fontwell followed by a decent second to Toulouse-Lautrec at Uttoxeter last month. However, the handicapper has seen fit to raise Peter Bowen's gelding by another 6lbs for that run which seems harsh. Kentford Fern holds claims if fit enough for her reappearance, while Kim Bailey's Katie Buckers is only 4lbs higher than when scoring at Uttoxeter three starts ago and is another worthy of a mention. The selection though is the ex-Irish Captain Clooney. Now trained by Richard Mitchell, the son of Supreme Leader handled similarly testing conditions well when making a winning return to action at Plumpton last month and, off just a 7lb higher mark here, he looks a decent bet to follow up.