Racecards
14:20 Leicester
John O'gaunt Novices' Chase (Class 3)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good (Good to Firm places, Soft on the flat course crossings)
- Surface: Turf
- £7,600 added
- Winner: £4,816
- 2nd: £1,423
- 3rd: £711
- 4th: £356
- Form 42P-145
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Dave Crosse
led, not fluent 1st or 2nd, ridden when slipped bend approaching 4 out, soon headed, weakened after 3 out
- Form 2211-71
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
took keen hold, held up in 3rd, hit 5th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, led last, ran on
- Form 341P53
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey W Marston
held up in last pair, took keen hold, jumped left 7th, ridden and weakened after next
- Form 012-P76
- Age 9
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer John Harris
- Jockey Matt Crawley
held up in last pair, ridden and weakened after 8th, tailed off
- Form 814-352
- Age 6
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey L Treadwell
chased leader, led approaching 4 out, not fluent next, headed last, no extra flat
In depth
Verdict
Milton Harris may well be able to get a race or two out of Marc Aurele as he's done well with recruits from Paul Nicholls yard whilst his other runner, Quell The Storm, cannot be ruled out in this company. Sonning Star ran a decent race on his chase bow and has live claims if building on the promise of that run but preference is for WILLIAM'S WISHES. The Welsh raider progressed well in a season that culminated with a respectable effort in the ultra-competitive Swinton Hurdle before returning to open his account at the first attempt over fences. He was very impressive on that occasion and could be above average in which case he should be hard to beat here.
Formwatch
Quell The Storm (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, last after 4th, not fluent next, lost touch after 9th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Gilbarry (11-2) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
William's Wishes (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up in 4th, went 3rd 7th, led 3 out, clear after 2 out, not fluent last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Wikaala (11-2) by 8l, 6 ran.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 4, 30l behind Pepe Simo (11-1) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gd.
Muntami (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 6th, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 8, 34l behind Viscount Rossini (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft.
Sonning Star (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, chased winner after next, stayed on well, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Chain Of Command (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.