Racecards
13:40 Leicester
European Breeders Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class D)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Soft (Heavy patches in the dip)
- Form 2-3
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey R Forristal
disputed lead until led briefly 6th, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
Besuto (IRE)
16- Form 4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 7th, weakened quickly before next, tailed off
- Form 13
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
disputed lead until led 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well flat, headed last stride
- Form 06-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs P Sly
- Jockey P Griffiths
in touch and keen, jumped slowly 2nd, headway 7th, challenged travelling well 2 out, ridden and ran on well flat, led last strides
- Form 1-4P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th or next, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
A poor turnout from 40 entries at the five day stage. Besuto is worthy of respect on his hurdling debut, as is Brewster, the winner of a bumper in Ireland on heavy ground. The latter didn't shape too badly on his first attempt over hurdles, when not beaten far at Haydock earlier this month, but the TEAMtalk vote goes to Benrajah, who will appreciate the drop in class. Henry Daly's gelding was taking on a couple of useful performers when making his debut over timber last month and both the winner of that event and the runner-up have gone on to give that form a solid look.