Racecards
14:40 Leicester
European Breeders' Fund Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,903
- 2nd: £1,146
- 3rd: £573
- 4th: £286
Risaala
66- Form 5320-21
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer Mrs P Sly
- Jockey Miss Gina Andrews
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led after 4th, headed 3 out, weakened flat
- Form 83
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey J M Maguire
prominent, jumped left 1st, jumped right next, reminders after 4th, weakened after 3 out
Alfie's Pearl
348- Form 330-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C T Pogson
- Jockey A Pogson
took keen hold in rear, losing touch when not fluent 5th, tailed off
Argentia
65- Form 00-0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer L Wadham
- Jockey A Thornton
led until after 4th, remained handy, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out
Golbelini
15- Form 385/07
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey W Marston
held up in rear, ridden approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
- Form 130-6
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 4th, led after 3 out, hit next, clear last, easily (no time taken)
- Form 06-06
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer A M Hales
- Jockey Felix de Giles
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when bad mistake 2 out, tailed off
Qualitee
25- Form 547
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Miss C Dyson
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up in touch, not fluent 4th, just behind leaders when mistake 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
- Form UP/RR-PP
- Age 10
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer S Lycett
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Lifestyle was probably in need of the run when down the field in a Wincanton bumper in November. But that was the second race in succession in which she'd performed below par and Nicky Henderson's mare is probably best watched on her hurdling bow. Huntingdon winner Risaala can't be ignored, despite her penalty, but there are also possibilities about ALEXANDER ROAD. Third in a Carlisle bumper on only her second start, the latter is related to a number of winning jumpers in France and should progress further as she gains experience. Francesa hasn't shown a lot so far but is probably capable of better and may be best of the rest.
Formwatch
Risaala 6-4fav (10-3) Held up in rear, headway to track leader 7th, hit 3 out, soon led, hit 2 out, went right and not fluent last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mares NH nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Midnight Macarena (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Alexander Road (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) In touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to go 3rd over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Sparkling Hand (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) gd in Oct.
Alfie's Pearl 33-1 (10-13) In touch, took keen hold, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out, 14th of 18, 30l behind Hurricane Milly (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m mrs N H flat (5) sft in Feb.
Argentia 100-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Malindi Bay (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Francesa 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Alverstone (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Golbelini 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, well behind Buddy Holly (11-5) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Lifestyle 9-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway from over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f, 6th of 10, 9l behind Peckhamecho (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Lilac Belle 25-1 (10-4) Towards rear, ridden and headway 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 6l behind Solaise (10-9) at Lingfield 2m mdn n h flat (5) std in Dec.
Qualitee 14-1 (10-4) Soon led, headed 8f out, pushed along before 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, well behind Just Cloudy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Iris Mary (IRE) 150-1 (10-2) Towards rear, struggling 6th, weakened and pulled up approaching 4 out, in a race won by Badgers Cove (11-5) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft, 11 ran.