Racecards
14:30 Leicester
Yew Tree Handicap Chase (Class D)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good (G/Soft straight, one soft patch in the dip)
- Form 20110-2
- Age 12
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer D Pearson
- Jockey Mr R Burton
with leader, led 8th to 11th, weakening when blundered 3 out
Punchy (IRE)
36- Form 1P5112
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
led, hung left bend after 5th, headed 8th, ridden 10th, weakened 4 out
- Form 53332F
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey T Siddall
mistakes, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form 321U0F
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
mid-division, steady headway 7th, led 3 out, ridden next, headed and not quickened towards finish
- Form 002441
- Age 11
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey F King
chased leaders, led 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
- Form 233232
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer P Butler
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
not jumped well, always behind
- Form P60-F13
- Age 9
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey J Pritchard
held up, steady headway 7th, with leader when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, ran on to lead towards finish
In depth
Verdict
For us, the shortlist here consists of Mulkev Prince, Celtic Vision, Strongtrooper, Business Class and the selection, Punchy. Punchy's winning run came to an end at Cheltenham but he'd shown a lot of promise in novice chases to that point and has been handicapped, basically, on what he achieved over hurdles. That seems fairly reasonable. Mulkev Prince hit form in the spring, winning twice from a highest mark of 112. He's now rated 115 but his very capable amateur rider, Richard Burton, takes five pounds off his back. He should also strip fitter for recent his Haydock second to Iverain. However, the 12-year-old might be vulnerable off topweight. Jonjo O'Neill is represented by Celtic Vision, who has yet to win over fences but won over hurdles in March from a mark of 116. That said, he has yet to look up to that mark over fences. Strongtrooper has regressed since winning a Market Rasen handicap off 97 in June. Now rated 101, he would need to get back to that level of form. Business Class won over course and distance 17 days ago, a success for which he has been raised just two pounds. However, that was an uncompetitive event so it might not pay to get too carried away by the bare result. Prairie Minstrel, another course and distance winner, is six pounds higher in the ratings than for his Worcester win. He's well handicapped on the best of his form, but that was four years ago now and he looks exposed now, while L'Etang Bleu's only win has come in a Uttoxter selling handicap hurdle. Overall, then,we'll stick with the percentage call which is Pipe, McCoy and Punchy.