Racecards
14:20 Hexham
Freebets.co.uk Novices' Chase (Class 3)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Form 122/1F2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey Harry Haynes
made all, drew clear approaching 2 out, well clear on bit last, easily
- Form 226123
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey K Mercer
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, effort approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure to go poor 2nd after last, no chance with winner
- Form 200U73
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey M J McAlister
in touch, chased clear and easy winner approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, lost 2nd after last
- Form 980P3P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 77
chased winner, lost place approaching 3 out, weakened from next, tailed off
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
This looks like the perfect assignment for THE DUKE'S SPEECH to score ahead of the unexposed Sa Suffit while Soubriquet looks to have plenty to find to beat those two. The selection has been more than competitive in better races this season including only finding the top-class Tatenen too good at Aintree in October. This is his perfect trip and a reproduction of his recent starts will be enough. James Ewart's Sa Suffit looks the only one of this small field who could stop the selection. Already rated one pound better than the pick after just four starts he is entitled to improve again but his class is yet to really be tested and this trip looks to be on the sharp side. Soubriquet is consistent enough in this company and likes this trip but will have plenty to find according to the official marks to challenge while the only other in the race is given very little chance rated 38lbs below his nearest rival. This looks a match on paper and we side with The Duke's Speech.
Formwatch
Sa Suffit (FR) 17-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 6 out, headed 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind The Vicar (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 4th, went 4th before next, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Pasco (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Soubriquet (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, close up 3 out, ridden next, weakened from last, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Camden George (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (2) sft in Feb.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Mistakes in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Garleton (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 12 ran.