Racecards
13:30 Leicester
John O'Gaunt Maiden Chase (Class E)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f 110y
- Going: Good (G/Soft straight, one soft patch in the dip)
- Form 1-P40PP
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
jumped left, led to 2nd, stayed prominent, lost touch 12th, soon tailed off
- Form 1P1/P-62
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer K Clutterbuck
- Jockey Brian Murphy
tracked leader, led 2nd to 14th, ridden to lead again approaching 2 out, stayed on
- Form 3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer L Wells
- Jockey M Batchelor
tracked leaders, joined leader 10th, led 14th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 0P/0P-5P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Mrs E Scott
- Jockey M Bradburne
tracked leaders, hit 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off 4th when pulled up and dismounted flat
In depth
Verdict
This looks to lie between Balla d'Aire and Good Bone, with the former getting the nod. The selection finished second to Motcomb Jam at Fakenham last time, appearing to handle the softer going there. He had previously shown a preference for faster conditions, including when winning a point-to-point. The French-bred Good Bone ran better than the bare result might suggest on his debut last time and, with that experience under his belt, ought to go better today. Alias and Will'Sillyshankers have shown very little to date, and first-time blinkers will need to bring about a lot of improvement in the former. All things being equal, it looks a two-horse race, with our vote going to Balla d'Aire.