Racecards
15:20 Leicester
Chalkie's Snooker Club Handicap Hurdle (Class D )
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places (Hurdle: Soft, Good to Soft in places)
- Form 143-641
- Age 5
- Weight 12-5
- Official Rating 116
held up, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Granite Steps
242- Form FU3P/12-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey A Dobbin
prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened quickly
- Form 51-3P3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey T Doyle
held up, ridden when hampered 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
- Form 106-54P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer J L Spearing
- Jockey Antony Evans
prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened
Sure Future
26- Form 630-650
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer R M Stronge
- Jockey B Fenton
prominent, outpaced 3 out, kept on flat, never dangerous
Hurdle (FR)
23- Form 001-P06
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer Miss A M Newton-Smith
- Jockey J P McNamara
always towards rear
Ismene (FR)
630- Form F51PF1/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
mid-division, disputing lead when fell
- Form 6141
- Age 4
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer M E Sowersby
- Jockey F King
mid-division, headway after 7th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
Scarlet Fantasy
212- Form 14501-F
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer P A Pritchard
- Jockey O Nelmes
held up in rear, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on well flat
- Form U0003-2
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer J R Norton
- Jockey Mr S F Magee
soon mid-division, headway after 7th, led 3 out, ridden clear 2 out, driven out
- Form 532062
- Age 4
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer M C Chapman
- Jockey A C Coyle
led, mistake 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakening when hit last
In depth
Verdict
A wide open handicap hurdle rounds off the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Granite Steps, Vanormix, Gracilis and Ismene and the tentative vote goes to Gracilis. The selection was a fair third behind Dabus last time out, he is sure to appreciate this faster surface and of what looks a fair mark he is taken to score. Vanormix won a seller in good style last time out but this looks much more competitive and he looks handicapped to the hilt. Granite Steps is from the bang-in-form Ferdy Murphy yard and was a good second behind Tomenoso when last seen. However he may just need the run after a 242 day absence and for that reason he is over looked here. Ismene is another that would have a chance on his best for but he also has an absence to over come. Of the remainder Sure Future looks to be on a handy mark and is worth noting in the market but for the winner we return to Gracilis who looks to hold a fitness advantage over most of his main rivals.