Racecards
14:35 Newbury
Pat Hawkins Retirement Handicap Chase (Class C )
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 110y
- Going: Good
- Form 1FP-212
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
always prominent, led 11th, hard ridden and headed after 2 out, rallied well under pressure to lead final 100 yards, all out
Desailly
32- Form 1232P-2
- Age 10
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer J A Geake
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up, smooth headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, soon ridden, headed final 100 yards, kept on
Surprising
384- Form 0005/12-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey L P Aspell
in touch, ridden after 13th, took closer order 4 out, weakening when pulled up
- Form 1P5/11-2
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, chased leaders from 6th, ridden to go 2nd briefly after 3 out, kept on same pace
- Form 31/51F-0
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders, ridden after 15th, weakened approaching 3 out and pulled up
- Form 2120P/3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
prominent, led 10th until next, mistake 14th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
- Form P0/P22-P
- Age 12
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey S Stronge
tracked leaders, went prominent 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
Dear Deal
20- Form 263-4F4
- Age 11
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
led until 10th, chased leaders, weakening when unseated rider
- Form 410PF-P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up, headway to track leaders approaching 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
In depth
Verdict
This is a terrific long distance chase that may fall to Willie John Daly, with Desailly and Fox In The Box the likely dangers. A model of consistency, Willie John Daly landed a beginners chase at Exeter before putting in another gallant effort to chase home Smile Pleeze at Cheltenham. He will relish every yard of this trip and can defy top-weight. Desailly is a decent handicapper on his day and showed his well being with a recent second behind the improving Colonel Frank, he looks set to be there or there abouts. Fox In The Box ended last season with a couple of victories, and showed his well being by finishing an excellent second to Tresor De Mai at Exeter on his seasonal return. The Paul Niicholls trained Ask Henry is also likely to be in the shake up following a decent third after a long lay off, however Willie John Daly is at the top of his game and is a confident choice.