Racecards
16:20 Hereford
P & C Morris Beginners' Chase (Class E )
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Form FS14FF
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
Held up, mistake 4th, ridden 9th, soon weakened
- Form 3/10-435
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
always prominent, chased winner from 7th, no impression 2 out
- Form 5-12263
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden and one pace from 2 out
- Form 2-56F35
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey R Young
pulled hard, led after 1st, jumped left 4th, clear approaching final furlong, eased flat
Hopesarising
38- Form 045-P30
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P R Johnson
- Jockey D Verco
in touch, weakened 7th, mistake 4 out
- Form 04-040P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J M Castle
- Jockey J Mogford
held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 5th (ditch)
- Form 2-34534
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey J Culloty
led 1st, soon headed, chased winner to 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
In depth
Verdict
A clear round would see Blue Americo go close but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has let himself down at his fences with falls in his last two starts and a safer bet looks to be Downpour, who is preferred to Gary's Pimpernel. The selection was a useful hurdler, showing progressive form last term, and has shown enough in two starts over fences this term to suggest that a race of this nature would be well within his compass. Victor Dartnell's Vingis Park has still yet to win a race but chasing was always likely to be his game so he may improve for the switch to the larger obstacles. Mick Easterby's Gary's Pimpernel is another making his debut over fences and cannot be discounted on his first attempt over them but Downpour sets a decent standard and looks the one to beat.