Racecards
14:30 Folkestone
Sponsor A For A Birthday Handicap Hurdle (Class E)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft (Hurdle: Soft, Heavy in places)
- Form 005-32
- Age 4
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
tracked leader to 7th, went 2nd again before 2 out, chased winner between last 2, no impression and held last, kept on to hold 2nd run-in
- Form 2P3/3-3P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer L Wells
- Jockey Mr J Morgan
took keen hold, held up in 5th, mistake 6th, weakened next
- Form 0P05-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
held up, steady headway before 3 out, tracked leading pair 2 out, in command last, ran on under pressure run-in
- Form 354503
- Age 4
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer M Ryan
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders until weakened 3 out
Double Agent
232- Form 13P/1P4-
- Age 11
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer Miss A M Newton-Smith
- Jockey Mr C Gordon
led, pushed along after 6th, headed 3 out, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened
Ellway Prospect
225- Form 563466-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Miss I Craig
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in rear, plenty to do 2 out, effort on inner and stayed on under pressure when hit last, kept on run-in
Red Ensign
15- Form 0655-31
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs L Jewell
- Jockey L P Aspell
tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out to before 2 out, stayed on same pace before last
- Form 660-051
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer P Butler
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
always behind, never a factor, mistake 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Martin Pipe has found another easy opportunity for He's A Leader who should complete the hat-trick at the expense of Red Ensign and Front Rank. The five-year-old has comfortably landed handicaps at Hereford and Warwick earlier this month. He was staying on nicely over two miles three on his latest run so should have no problems with this extra distance and should be able to beat this bunch. Top-weight is Front Rank has finished placed in two modest handicaps recently and may have to settle for more of the same. Meanwhile Red Ensign justified favouritism when taking a weak affair at Fontwell last, he is weighted to go close again. Stolen Song Song may prove best of the others, but He's A Leader is improving at a rate of knots and is a confident selection.