Racecards
16:10 Hereford
Charles Dawson Memorial Handicap Chase
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 1/F96-77
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey D R Dennis
chased leaders, went second 9th until 4 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd and no chance when fell 2 out
- Form P/5115U-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up, hampered 3rd, steady headway 10th, led approaching 3 out, cleared 2 out, eased flat
- Form 533311-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer D Burchell
- Jockey L Stephens
held up in touch, headway 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, left 3rd 2 out
- Form BP7R-22
- Age 13
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
led to approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 21PU-PF
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer J W Tudor
- Jockey M Bradburne
mid-division, behind from 14th, tailed off
- Form 5P22-12
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer S A Brookshaw
- Jockey J P Byrne
chased leaders, went second 4th until 9th, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 11th, ridden 13th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 175U6-4
- Age 10
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer R Rowe
- Jockey L P Aspell
tracked leader until 4th, lost place 6th, well behind from 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
- Form S57346-
- Age 13
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer P W Hiatt
- Jockey J P McNamara
held up, lost touch 10th
- Form 9P/PPP-3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer P R Rodford
- Jockey K Burke
always behind, lost touch 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form F6446-5
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 56
- Trainer J G M O'Shea
- Jockey O Nelmes
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before last
In depth
Verdict
Paddy The Optimist is the pick over Silver Samuel, with Bramblehill Duke and Flinders the other main players. Paddy The Optimist goes well here as proven by his last two successes over the course and distance this year. Dai Burchell's nine-year-old jumps well, and his latest victory came off a mark of 88. Another rise is not a big problem as he has performed well off slightly higher than today's mark in the past. Of more of a worry would be if it continued to dry out, as although his last two wins came on good to firm ground, he does prefer a bit more cut underfoot. Silver Samuel has been in fair form of late here as well, but meets the selection on worse terms than when second to him in March, so is passed over. Bramblehill Duke rallied well when second at Exeter last time but does make the odd mistake, while Flinders gained his last win here in October but might find conditions too fast today. Paddy The Optimist has done nothing wrong of late and can complete the hat-trick.