Racecards
13:50 Lingfield Park
E.B.F. Crown Wallcoverings 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class E)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 110y
- Going: Standard (Turf: Soft, Heavy in places)
Apollo Theatre
230- Form 533/343-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R Rowe
- Jockey L P Aspell
tracked leaders, challenged and hit last, driven and stayed on run-in, led near finish
- Form P4-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway on outside and ridden approaching 2 out, soon hung left under pressure and found nil, weakened before last
- Form 05-P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D R Gandolfo
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in 5th, effort 2 out, hung left and not look keen run-in, stayed on towards finish
Montesino
370- Form 000052-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M Madgwick
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
mostly tracked leader, ridden and close-up approaching last, one pace under pressure, run-in
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey J Tizzard
made most, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened quickly
- Form 14420-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey P Hide
tracked leaders, led narrowly 2 out, not fluent last, hard driven run-in, headed near finish
- Form 004-6
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
took keen hold, settled rear but well in touch, mistake 3rd, close up approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
In depth
Verdict
Twenty Degrees, Catchthebug and Montesino look the three to concentrate on in this novices hurdle and the confident vote goes to the first mentioned. The selection was a good second on his debut this season behind Salute. He is sure to have come on for the run and under his optimum conditions he will be hard to beat. Catchthebug rates the main danger as he made all to win well last time out when defeating Time On My Side but he is not sure of an easy lead here and for that reason he is opposed. Montesino was a fair second behind Island Stream when last seen in a handicap and a reproduction of that effort would see him go close, but he may just need the run after a 270 day absence and for that reason he is passed over. Of the remainder, Apollo Theatre has also shown promise but that has come over a longer trip and for the winner we return to Twenty Degrees.