Racecards
12:25 Leicester
Lubenham Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 7f 201y
- Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Winner: £6,256
- 2nd: £1,848
- 3rd: £924
- 4th: £462
- Form 4523-27
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Adam Wedge
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led after next, ridden and kept on well flat
- Form 124-242
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Brian Harding
disputed led to 2nd, raced wide and remained in touch next, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 852-189
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer S-J Davies
- Jockey R T Dunne
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, lost place after 5 out, soon ridden and behind, weakened next
- Form 6343-23
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey Joshua Moore
led to 3rd, disputed lead until blundered and lost place 4 out, soon ridden and one pace, left 4th 2 out, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
- Form 11327/P-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
held up in touch on inside, driven to chase leading pair 3 out, 1 length down in 3rd and staying on when fell next
- Form 5944-F0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in touch, driven to chase leaders 3 out, left 3rd next, no chance with front pair before last, lost modest 3rd flat
- Form 6358/01
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Henry Oliver
- Jockey J McGrath
prominent, led narrowly 3rd, blundered 6th, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on until no extra in clear 2nd flat
In depth
Verdict
Blandfords Gunner might appreciate a drop in grade and The Green Ogre is capable of winning a race like this, though has a poor overall strike-rate and was only third when favourite at Plumpton after finishing second at Kempton. MOSCOW ME won in a hack canter at Towcester four weeks ago on his fencing bow. He looks like making a better chaser than hurdler on that evidence and can find the necessary improvement to defy a 12lb hike in the weights. Court Dismissed is only five and another with scope.
Formwatch
Blandfords Gunner 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 6 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Javert (11-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Court Dismissed (IRE) 10-3fav (11-5) Led until after 7th, chased leader until before 3 out, chased winner soon after, held when mistake 2 out, not fluent last, 2nd of 8, 8l behind The Cobbler Swayne (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Another Journey 66-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Superb Story (10-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
The Green Ogre 10-3fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway before 4 out, 3rd before 2 out, ridden one pace and no chance with leading duo after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 16 3/4l behind Ashcott Boy (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Devil To Pay 16-1 (10-5) In rear, hit 3rd, ridden and weakened 6th, pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Smoking Jacket (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division 6th, outpaced 4 out, rallied briefly next, weakened 2 out, last of 13, dist behind Abricot De L'oasis (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Moscow Me (IRE) 7-1fav (11-1) Close up, led from 3 out, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Towcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Kassis (11-10) by 13l, 8 ran.