Racecards
15:15 Folkestone
Ladbroke's The Nations's Favourite Handicap (Class 5)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 5f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Form 634-009
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey S Whitworth
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, caught post
- Form 58900-6
- Age 7
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey M Davies
chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 779029-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer W G M Turner
- Jockey A Quinn
held up, always in rear
- Form 726480
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer E J Creighton
- Jockey O Urbina
held up in rear, weakened and soon eased over 1f out, pulled up
- Form 37860-2
- Age 7
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 66
- Trainer M S Saunders
- Jockey Richard Hughes
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
- Form 0090-31
- Age 5
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer K R Burke
- Jockey P Mulrennan
chased leaders, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, kept on same pace
- Form 361228-
- Age 4
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey E Ahern
held up, pushed along halfway, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge
- Form 8-07842
- Age 7
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 56
- Trainer A J McCabe
- Jockey M Geran
held up, not clear from over 1f out, switched right, challenged inside final furlong, ridden, edged left and led post
In depth
Verdict
Ashes can land the spoils at the expense of Willhewiz and Malapropism. The selection has had training troubles but the handicapper has at least given her a chance to win races and off today's turf mark, she appears capable of capitalising on the favourable impression given by her victory on Wolverhampton's all-weather surface. Willhewiz is sure to give a good account from the boxes. The five furlong specialist does struggle to see out the trip and is always vulnerable to a finisher. Malapropism hails from a yard that are sending out winners so the market is watched for any signs of confidence. Tamino has invariably needed the run first time out in the past so is opposed while No Time, who will be out of the handicap today, has a habit of popping up at big prices and cannot be discounted. Azygous should have come on for a recent spin over six furlongs around this track. A difficult sprint but Ashes has few excuses from a formbook perspective.
Formwatch
Azygous 25-1 (8-11) Led to halfway, weakened quickly 2f out, last of 9, 8l behind Forest Dane (8-7) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Malapropism 10-1 (9-6) Chase leaders, ridden and hung left entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Spanish Ace (9-10) at Bath 5f hcp 0-75 (5) frm.
Westbrook Blue 20-1 (8-7) Soon outpaced, last of 9, 12l behind Night Prospector (8-12) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Nepro (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) In touch on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 16, 6l behind Saviours Spirit (9-1) at Windsor 6f hcap (5) gf.
Willhewiz 9-1 (9-4) Led, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Spanish Ace (9-10) at Bath 5f hcp 0-75 (5) frm.
Ashes (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, good headway 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at W'hampton 5f fll hcp (5) pol beating Overwing (9-9) by a nk, 10 ran.
Tamino (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind Sweetest Revenge (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
No Time (IRE) 20-1 (7-11) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon not much room and switched left, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 14, nk behind Desert Opal (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcap (5) gf.