Racecards
15:10 Hereford
Strongbow Handicap Hurdle (Class E)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
Swansea Bay
23- Form 110-461
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey A Thornton
took keen hold in rear, headway 9th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
- Form 0661-65
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer Mrs H Bridges
- Jockey Miss Lucy Bridges
chased leader after 1st, led 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace
- Form 210/502
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
held up, headway 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
Ashgan (IRE)
48- Form P1-4003
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey O Dayman
prominent until 8th
- Form F1U-PP1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
led, headed and ridden 9th, weakened after 3 out
- Form FP0445
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
ran in snatches, behind, stayed on approaching 2 out, never dangerous
- Form 45/P-5F4
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Mrs P Dutfield
- Jockey P Holley
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 3 out
- Form 32604R
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
held up in touch, led 3 out, soon clear, ridden after 2 out, eased flat
Ewar Bold
21- Form 0P0PP3
- Age 11
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer K Wingrove
- Jockey Mr W P Kavanagh
ridden after 5th, always behind
- Form 021P-P5
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Mrs Barbara Waring
- Jockey B Hitchcott
always towards rear
- Form P50104
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
- Form PPP/0P-P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss L Davis
- Jockey J Pritchard
held up in touch, ridden and weakened after 7th, mistake 8th, pulled up before 9th
In depth
Verdict
Top class chaser Swansea Bay can land another hurdles victory here at the expense of Atticus Finch and Kattegat. Peter Bowen's eight-year-old reverted to the smaller obstacles at Worcester last time and comfortably beat Rosemauve. The trainer is keen to strike again before the handicapper takes note and with ground and trip in his favour he will take all the beating. Atticus Finch bounced back to form with a smooth victory over this trip at Huntingdon last time and looks the main threat to the selection. Meanwhile Kattegat has struggled on his last two racecourse visits but if showing the same enthusiasm when beating Mr Dow Jones he will be a big threat to all. lago Di Levico could prove best of the remainder, but Swansea Bay has a touch of class and gets the verdict.