Racecards
15:50 Leicester
Nicol & Fielding Mechanical Services Ltd. Handicap Chase (Class 3)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Winner: £6,498
- 2nd: £1,908
- 3rd: £954
- 4th: £477
- Form 7-55221
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
settled in rear but in touch, smooth headway 4 out, led last, quickened clear, easily
Upepito (FR)
20- Form 2-42143
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
held up in rear but in touch, headway 5 out, every chance 2 out, weakened last
- Form 4-11F6R
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 126
tracked leader, led approaching 6th, headed after next, lost place before 4 out, behind when pulled up before last
- Form 043-F75
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer R Lee
- Jockey Jake Greenall
chased leaders, pushed along 5 out, soon lost place, tailed off
- Form 01122-5
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Rob McCarth
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, weakened 4 out, tailed off
- Form P-53P34
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer Mrs Caroline Bailey
- Jockey A Thornton
led until approaching 6th, led again after next, headed last, not pace of winner
- Form 354R0/9
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer Alexandra Dunn
- Jockey C O'Farrell
chased leaders, under pressure before 4 out, weakened after 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Cloud Creeper was brought with a steady run to collar Silver Roque over course and distance last month but will find this tougher off a 5lb higher mark, though should confirm the form with fourth Noble Legend. Sonofagun has a lengthy absence to overcome and Book 'Em Danno is best watched having shown signs of temperament when last seen. The jury is also out on the once-useful Royal Charm while Upepito weakened quickly over this trip at Wincanton last time. HIGHWAY CODE is only a pound higher than last winning over fences and weighted to reverse Ludlow running with Sonofagun a year ago. He might be worth an interest if allowed to start at inflated odds.
Formwatch
Cloud Creeper (IRE) 9-4 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway on outside after 11th, not fluent 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb beating Silver Roque (11-9) by nk, 8 ran.
Upepito (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd 8th, no impression on winner before 3 out, lost 2nd before mistake 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Opening Batsman (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Book'em Danno (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked winner, not fluent 10th, lost 2nd after 12th, soon outpaced, blundered and weakened 3 out, refused and unseated rider last, in a race won by The Druids Nephew (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct, 4 ran.
Highway Code (USA) 7-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 2nd, hit 6th, headed next, slightly last place, outpaced after 9th, tried to rally in 4th approaching 4 out, hit 4 out, disputing well held 3rd next until 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 13l behind Vivaccio (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Sonofagun (FR) 4-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, mistakes 4th and 7th, headway before 11th, mistake 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Minella For Value (11-3) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in May.
Noble Legend 13-2 (10-10) Led until after 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 16l behind Cloud Creeper (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Feb.
Royal Charm (FR) 40-1 (10-5) Held up, steady headway from 12th, lost place before 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 14, 40l behind Soll (10-8) at Exeter 3m hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.