Racecards
15:30 Folkestone
Ruckinge Maiden Hurdle (Class F )
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good (Hurdle: Good to Soft, Soft in places)
- Form 2/P0-0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
set steady pace, led to third, led again 6th to 8th, weakened after 2 out
- Form F424/62-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
held up behind, never a factor
- Form 14-330
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up behind, headway 7th, stayed in touch until weakened after 2 out
- Form 000/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey James Davies
pulled hard behind, led 3rd to 6th, weakened rapidly, pulled up after 8th
- Form 2124/
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, ridden and weakened before 9th, eased afterwards, tailed off
Versus (GER)
13- Form 236-5
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 110
held up in touch early, dropped towards rear 6th, headway and led 2 out, ridden clear before last, ran on well
Whist Drive
20- Form 34-0332
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer Mrs N Smith
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up, led after 8th, headed 2 out, kept on under pressure, not pace of winner
- Form 1-43
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer R H Buckler
- Jockey B Hitchcott
held up, headway after 3 out, kept on same pace, not reach leaders
- Form 346
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer B De Haan
- Jockey D Cosgrave
close up, disputed lead 9th, mistake 10th, soon weakened
Loyola
30- Form 54446-0
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer Simon Earle
- Jockey A Procter
held up rear, ridden after 6th, soon behind
- Form 02340-4
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey P C O'Neill
prominent, chased leaders 2 out, no extra and weakened approaching last
In depth
Verdict
Kimono Royal looks to have a decent chance against this opposition and is taken to beat Versus and Elfkirk. Alan King's six-year-old ran no sort of race at Cheltenham last time and finished out with the washing. That was a very tough event and if he can reproduce his previous Uttoxeter form when third to Honest Endeavour, he should be capable of beating this bunch. Versus showed improved form to finish a close up fifth behind Predicament at Plumpton last time and looks the main threat to the selection. Elfkirk made a very pleasing hurdles debut at Lingfield last time and as he is very lightly raced looks certain to improve on that effort. Irish challenger Ri Na Realta is returning from a very long lay off but did contest some decent events in his younger days, watch the market for any clues with this one. All in all it is not the strongest of contests and Kimono Royal should be good enough to land the spoils