Racecards
15:00 Leicester
Ladbrokes.com Abbey Park Handicap (Class 4)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 7f 9y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,500 added
- Form 23919-3
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
held up, raced keenly, ridden and headway over 1f out, slightly hampered entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
- Form 32-231
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey R Hills
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 14-7U35
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 79
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Divine Power
23- Form 2342-1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer R M Beckett
- Jockey S Sanders
steadied start, held up, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
Ink Spot
17- Form 230-228
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey J P Spencer
held up, hung right from over 2f out, soon ridden, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong
- Form 53-12
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
slowly into stride, soon in touch, weakened over 1f out
- Form 95100-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
tracked leaders, lost place well over 2f out, no danger after
- Form 043-5
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey J Fortune
always prominent, led 2f out, headed 1f out, still every chance well inside final furlong, ran on
- Form 3-2224
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 73
pulled hard, led, headed 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 847206-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer Mouse Hamilton-fairley
- Jockey R Havlin
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and hung right 2f out, beaten when hampered 1f out, one pace
In depth
Verdict
Kiwi Bay may be able to upstage some bigger names here and is preferred to Liberty Valance and Divine Power amongst others. The selection has slipped back down to an attractive mark and looked to be running into form when last seen at Thirsk. He wasn't beaten far in a competitive nursery on his final start at two but is now 8lbs lower and he's been given a real chance by the assessor. He was staying on well in a competitive sprint over six last time and will be suited by the step back up in trip whilst any easing of the ground will be in his favour. There are some potentially well handicapped horses in this race though and Liberty Valance fits that category. He has only raced on artificial surfaces so far but he should go well if proving as effective on turf. Others that are sure to attract support include Romany Princess, Tawzeea and Ink Spot whilst Arabian Spirit and Night Skier may well have more to offer as well. The form of Divine Power's maiden win at Salisbury looks solid enough and she is another with claims if she lines up as she was due to race at Newmarket on Sunday. A warm heat in which Kiwi Bay may provide a little value.
Formwatch
Romany Princess (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Clifton Dancer (8-6) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gd.
Tawzeea (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon edged left, driven out, won at Hamilton 6f mdn stk (5) gf beating Strawberry Moon (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ten Pole Tudor 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 12, 10l behind High Standing (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Divine Power 2-1fav (8-9) Held up on rail, switched left and headway 2f out, soon driven, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at Salisbury 6f mdn stk (5) gd beating Orange Pip (8-9) by 1l, 10 ran.
Ink Spot 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 8th of 16, 7l behind Harbour Blues (9-0) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Liberty Valance (IRE) 13-8fav (9-4) Disputed 2nd, ridden to lead over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, caught final stride, 2nd of 5, hd behind Asian Power (9-0) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Night Skier (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 8l behind Bronze Cannon (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) pol in Oct.
Arabian Spirit 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Baunagain (9-3) at Great Leighs 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Kiwi Bay 12-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong nearest finish, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Harbour Blues (9-0) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Salt of The Earth (IRE) 2-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 6, 3l behind Gallic Charm (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Thunder Gorge (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced final 2f, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 7l behind Storm Force (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo stk (3) pol in Nov.
Shamrock Lady (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Indian Diva (9-3) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gs.