Racecards
16:35 Newbury
London Racing Club Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class D)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft
- Form 055
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer Mrs L Taylor
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, steady headway from 4th, hard ridden 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off
- Form 343-P54
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
looked reluctant in rear, jumped slow 2nd, driven after 4th, staying on same pace when hampered 3 out
- Form 10
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
prominent, chased leader 4th, led and disputed from 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
- Form 3F0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Mr A O'Keeffe
raced freely, led, hit 3rd, narrowly headed when blundered 3 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
- Form B3021P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
behind, weakened 4 out, tailed off
- Form F-4FFP0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey R Flavin
behind, struggling from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form 50020-P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer Mrs Merrita Jones
- Jockey T J Phelan
behind, no chance from 4 out, tailed off
- Form 050P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer J Mackie
- Jockey N D Fehily
chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, disputed lead from 3 out, led approaching last, driven out
- Form RP-P303
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey R Forristal
chased leader to 4th, weakened rapidly, taioed off and pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
A number of in-and-out performers going to post for this contest, including Bomb Alaska, who was Group placed but hasn't shown any worthwhile form for a while now. Tagar has solid form but has it to do off topweight, despite a useful amateur taking weight off his back. Yvanovitch hasn't exactly been done any favours by the handicapper considering he has yet to make the frame. Martin Pipe's Fast Mix hardly boasts outstanding form and his hurdling let him down last time. Three Lions has to cope with a 12lbs rise for his Hereford win. Picture Palace's form of a year ago gives him a good shout, particularly as he drops in trip for this race. Lightly raced Doncaster winner Polish Cloud was put in his place last time, while Cosmocrat is not the most consistent but caught the eye at Cheltenham last time so it would be no surprise to see him go well. Park City is racing from a 10-pound higher mark than when beating Talarive two runs ago. That was a good effort and he can again play a part here. Bits of last season's form give Presto a shout and he is fitted with a tongue tie here (has won in one on the Flat). Flat winner, Bolshoi Ballet, looked promising over jumps in November but has yet to progress, although his stable has been out of sorts. Plenty Inn Hand has been pointing and is opposable. It is a tricky race, once again, and Picture Palace is given as a tentative selection.