Racecards
12:12 Hereford
starsports.bet 20K Owners Club Guarantee Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 147y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £5,800 added
- Winner: £3,769
- 2nd: £1,107
- 3rd: £553
- 4th: £277
- Form 81
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer B Pauling
- Jockey Luca Morgan
always prominent, good jump to lead 3 out, still travelling strongly after 2 out, ridden out after last, cosily
Cheng Gong
22- Form 55
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
in rear when awkward 1st, reminder after 4th, lost touch before 4 out, never a factor
- Form 97/12P-8
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Sarah Bowen
- Jockey Miss S L Bowen
led early, headed before 4th, remained prominent until began to lose ground 4 out, weakened quickly
- Form 94-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
tracked leaders, pushed along 2 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 58-6
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
mid-division early, headway to lead before 4th, headed 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no extra
- Form 42-63
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey C Gethings
tracked leaders, driven along after 3 out, under pressure after 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 744
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
mid-division but in touch, ridden briefly after 3 out, pushed along before last where mistake, weakened
- Form 1-P2F
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer T Lacey
- Jockey Stan Sheppard
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, went second 2 out, ridden soon after, stayed on but no match for winner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The four-year-old Optimise Prime was well supported for a Newton Abbot bumper but never got close enough so it was no surprise when he went off 50/1 on his hurdling debut here. However, he overcame a couple of mistakes and stayed on strongly to score so there should be plenty more to come. WHAT ABOUT TIME won a point in Ireland a year ago and reappeared with a convincing all-the-way victory over timber at Uttoxeter. He'll be difficult to beat, despite a penalty. Eaton Collina didn't get enough of a stamina test at Stratford and this will be more like it while Lord Apparelli couldn't quite get to grips with the leaders here last month but wasn't beaten far. One For You caught the eye at Doncaster, despite losing a shoe, and is greatly respected in a tricky opener.
Formwatch
Optimise Prime (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 3 out, made rest, ridden home turn, driven and stayed on well run-in, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Sam Barton (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Cheng Gong 4-1 (10-12) Led until 2nd, not fluent next or 5th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 22l behind The Grey Falco (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Chief Sittingbull 200-1 (10-12) Disputed lead, headed before 9th, soon struggling and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Barbados Buck's (11-5) at Southwell 3m (4) gs in Dec.
Eaton Collina (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Galice Macalo (10-11) at Stratford 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Glance From Clover 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some late minor headway, never on terms, 6th of 13, 35 1/4l behind Fancy Foundations (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Lord Apparelli 6-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway when mistake 3 out, every chance before last, 3rd and held flat, kept on, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Presentedwithwings (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
One For You (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Held up in midfield, switched towards near side rail before 2 out and made brief progress, kept on at one pace after last, 4th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Bobhopeornohope (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Velasco (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, went right 3rd and next, headed when fell 3 out, at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
What About Time (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, pushed along 2 out, headed before last, battled back flat to lead, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Lucky One (11-0) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.