Racecards
13:40 Kelso
Middlemiss Golden Wedding Beginners' Chase (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Form 0880-P2
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey P Kinsella
held up in touch, in 5th when blundered badly and unseated rider 14th
- Form 4213-33
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey Harry Haynes
tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 10th, hit 11th, in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 16th
- Form 211U3/P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey G Lee
led and jumped well, ridden approaching last, tired quickly and headed towards finish
- Form 3/67775-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey F Davis
held up in rear, mistakes throughout, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
- Form 3FP5P-7
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
tracked leader, ridden approaching last, stayed on gamely to lead towards finish
- Form 3P/2-P24
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey M O'connell
held up in 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last
In depth
Verdict
A moderate contest with CLASSIC CUT nominated as the one to be with ahead of Blue Shark and Double Default. The last-named had looked very useful over hurdles, winning twice in that sphere in the spring of 2007. He has clearly had his problems since then, having had just three further runs, all over fences, and all resulting in defeat. He races keenly and will try to win it from the front, and he acts on heavy ground, but he just looks too risky-a-proposition at the moment. Blue Shark is much in the same mould. The former Nicky Henderson inmate is now with Malcolm Jefferson, and if anyone can get him right again then it is the North Yorkshire handler. After some dismal efforts in recent times there was the sign of a return to form at Market Rasen last time and with conditions to suit then he is likely to be bang there. The rest make no real appeal on what we have seen so far, with the exception of Classic Cut. James Ewart's gelding scored here over hurdles when the going was described as good, but he is also proven on heavy, as he showed when runner-up at Newcastle last time, to the useful Door Boy. That represents the best chase form in this race and if he can build on it then he should be up to the task.
Formwatch
Blue Shark (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, ridden and kept on flat, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Mirage Dore (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Classic Cut 7-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, blundered 4th, driven and outpaced 4 out, 4 lengths 3rd, one pace when mistake next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Door Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 3m nov stks (3) hvy in Jan.
Double Default (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by The Hollinwell (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Isla Pearl Fisher 16-1 (10-11) In rear, kept on from 2 out, 5th of 11, 8l behind Cote d'Argent (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Mr Preacher Man 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 27l behind Oscar Glory (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Smart Mistress 25-1 (10-2) Behind, struggling 5 out, kept on under pressure from next, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 30l behind Vforvictory (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft in Jan.