Racecards
18:30 Hereford
Strongbow Challenge Maiden Hurdle (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Winner: £2,599
- 2nd: £763
- 3rd: £382
- 4th: £191
- Form 1284-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
made virtually all, jumped left 3rd and 2 out, clear before last, easily
- Form 67P-646
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer L P Grassick
- Jockey L Treadwell
held up, ridden and weakened after 4th, tailed off
- Form UP-7068
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D Killahena & G McPherson
- Jockey T Molloy
tracked leaders until before 4th, soon behind, tailed off
- Form 60/33-23
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
tracked leaders, wandered 4th, went 2nd before 2 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last
- Form 47
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
held up, took keen hold, jumped right 4th, soon moved closer, 4th when not fluent 2 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
- Form 35
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
led into start, held up, headway 4th, ridden and ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 7-8
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mike Hammond
- Jockey C Poste
took keen hold, pressed winner, led after 2nd until after next, stopped rapidly before bypassing normal 3 out, finished eventually, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Pasture Bay has the form in the book, being placed in all four starts so far over hurdles, and he's much preferred to Whodathought, who showed promise on his debut at Towcester in June but was well beaten at Fontwell a fortnight ago. ACE FIGHTER PILOT may be worth following this season, however, as he's already won a bumper and has a real stayer's pedigree. Despite returning from a break, he's fancied to make a winning start over obstacles with Stephen's Green likely to prove best of the rest.
Formwatch
Ace Fighter Pilot 8-1 (11-9) Held up in last pair, headway over 5f out, went approaching final 2f, no chance with winner when lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 35l behind Puffin Billy (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Cleeve Cloud (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hampered 5th, soon well behind, 6th of 12, 29l behind Max Milano (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Moulin Tour (FR) 66-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, 49l behind Well Sharp (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Pasture Bay (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders, ridden when not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on final 100 yards, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Max Milano (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Stephen's Green (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, effort before last, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 16l behind Forgotten Symphony (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Whodathought (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Mid-divison, not fluent 2nd, headway 4th, ridden before 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 14, 28l behind Ivan Vasilevich (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Romantic Girl (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 3rd, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Faith Jicaro (11-0) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.