Racecards
14:20 Leicester
John O'gaunt Novices' Chase (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good (Good/Firm in plcs; Hurdle: Good/Soft)
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Form 03-1F23
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey K Renwick
led to 4 out, soon ridden, slightly hampered 3 out, weakened after 2 out
- Form 16/128-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up, blundered 6th, last but in touch when blundered 3 out, weakened before 2 out, eased last
- Form 42431-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
held up, jumped left 1st, headway after 4 out, went 2nd after 2 out, shaken up to lead flat, ran on well
- Form 12684-2
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C Llewellyn
- Jockey T J O'Brien
tracked leader, jumped left on occasions, raced keenly, led 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat
- Form 8/55053-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, not pace of winner
In depth
Verdict
Not a bad little contest here and CROCODILES ROCK is just preferred to Kalahari King. There looks little to choose between this pair, though Jonjo O'Neill's runners are in a little better form than those of Ferdy Murphy, which is part of the reason for the selection. Crocodiles Rock might also improve for his first run, which was in any case a decent win at Carlisle. He acts on a sound surface and gets the nod. Kalahari King won at Kelso first time out and ideally looks likely to be better suited by further than this, but he jumped well that day and should give the selection plenty to do. Presentandcorrect was put in his place by Ohana at Fontwell and can improve for that outing on ground that also suits, so don't rule him out. Cape Greko might just have too much on here under his penalty, but has ability, while Shatabdi is a very interesting contender. She is rated 134 over hurdles but she will be straight enough first time and well schooled, and with the sex allowance she looks a serious danger, but we'll just side with Crocodiles Rock.
Formwatch
Cape Greko 11-2 (11-8) Led 1st, soon headed, remained prominent, driven to challenge approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Laoch Dubh (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Crocodiles Rock (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, edged right flat, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Oct beating Astarador (11-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
Kalahari King (FR) 5-4 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway to chase leader 4 out, led flat, pushed out, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct beating Cast Iron Casey (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Iffy 25-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 5 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Merchant Red (11-1) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gf.
Presentandcorrect (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway from 8th, chased winner 3 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Ohana (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sept.
Shatabdi (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, smooth headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace from last, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Mous Of Men (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.