Racecards
17:25 Ludlow
Clun 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 2/5-1P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in touch, fell 4th
Gallik Dawn
49- Form 0-030PP
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A Hollingsworth
- Jockey James Davies
held up in rear, some headway after 6th, soon weakened
Gentle Beau
39- Form 2-42F66
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
prominent, led 3 out, ridden out
Katies Hero
39- Form 00-56P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
chased leaders, blundered 6th, soon ridden and lost place, weakening when hampered 3 out
- Form 100
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
mid-division, behind when jumped slowly to 6th, tailed off
- Form P0-44FP
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J King
- Jockey P J Brennan
led, not fluent 5th, ridden and headed next, weakened 2 out
Lynwood Gold
16- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer B J Llewellyn
- Jockey Christian Williams
slowly away, pulled hard, always behind, tailed off
- Form 405400
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer H Manners
- Jockey Mr J A Jenkins
held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 34-0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Needham
- Jockey T J Phelan
held up in rear, hampered 4th, behind when fell 3 out
- Form 500
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
slowly away, held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on flat
- Form 1P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
took keen hold, chased leader 3rd, led 6th, headed and fell 3 out
- Form 416
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
slowly away, held up and took keen hold, headway after 6th, close 6th when brought down 3 out
- Form 00-0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Mrs P Ford
- Jockey R Spate
held up, some headway approaching 3 out, never nearer
- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
chased leader to 3rd, weakened after 6th, behind when hampered 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Kercabellec is the pick to bounce back with a win against Real Cracker, Gentle Beau and Crossbow Creek in the final race on the card. With both Mick Fitzgerald and Marcus Foley sidelined, Nicky Henderson could have no better substitute in Kercabellec's saddle than Tony McCoy, himself only back today after smashing his cheekbone at Plumpton last week. Kercabellec appreciated the better ground when battling home against Supreme Dawn and King Solomon at Warwick in November, but then ran as though something was amiss when pulled up behind the useful Howle Hill and Dictum at Wincanton on his return to action in January. The ground was maybe a bit too soft and he was carrying a penalty, so excuses can be made in any case, and connections will be disappointed if he does not put up a bold show here. Bumper winner Real Cracker comes from an in-form stable and bids to make up for a bad mistake that put paid to his chance at on his hurdles debut at Taunton in December. He can make his presence felt along with Gentle Beau, a beaten favourite at Wincanton earlier due to jumping errors. Crossbow Creek probably has more to do than when scoring here two weeks ago but at least lines up in form, while Pin High, Spike Jones and Philippa Yeates all hail from top yards and should be noted in the market. However, for the winner we return to Kercabellec.