Racecards
16:40 Hereford
Sharp Minds Betfair Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class E) (Class E)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form FP/40P-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
keen, chased leader, led 4th to next, led again 2 out, soon ridden and headed, stayed on same pace
- Form 236/630-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer R Phillips
- Jockey Antony Evans
in touch, ridden 5th, soon weakened
- Form P640-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
behind from 4th
- Form 00405-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
held up, headway 5th, blundered 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden out
- Form 006-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
held up, ridden and headway 5th, weakened approaching last
- Form 002P0P-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
led to 4th, led again 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered last
- Form P0000-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-8
held up and keen, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, weakened approaching last
Nick The Jewel
125- Form 3/11332-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-8
chased leaders, ridden and hit 5th, outpaced 3 out, kept on to take poor 3rd flat
- Form 4/03405-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss S Wilton
- Jockey T Burrows
mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, weakened approaching last
Mylo
12- Form 65/3245-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey S Durack
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Captain Hardy gets the call over Mylo, Maitre Levy and Nick The Jewel to name but three in a competitive handicap hurdle. Martin Pipe has two runners here, with Dinarelli joining Maitre Levy in the line-up, but with Tony McCoy down to partner Captain Hardy, the hint should be taken. Gary Brown's four-year-old has the scope to beat his older rivals judged on what we have seen so far. He came good at Wincanton recently in a conditional riders event for which he does not receive a penalty, so has major claims under the champion. Mylo was a beaten favourite when only fifth at Bangor and it is hoped that the slight drop back in trip will be in his favour, while Maitre Levy is expected to be the best of Pipe's duo, although neither have done anything to shout about so far. Nick The Jewel was last seen out over fences at Wincanton on Boxing Day and may need this return. He may be running here to protect his handicap mark and should be noted when going back over the bigger obstacles. All in all, Captain Hardy appears to be the best option.