Racecards
14:25 Newbury
Lane Fox Handicap Hurdle (Class C)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Good to Soft
Serenus (USA)
236- Form 060443-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey P Flynn
disputed lead 1st, soon settled in touch, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next
- Form 0/61-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer J Gifford
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, disputed lead 3 out, led approaching last, pushed clear flat, eased close home
- Form 312100-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
in touch, led after 4th, headed 4 out, every chance when fell 2 out
Burundi (IRE)
194- Form 3P436-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer A W Carroll
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up and keen, headway after 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
- Form 11F3-54
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
held up, headway 3 out, going well when hampered and brought down 2 out
- Form 00/3310-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey P Hide
held up, headway when hampered 2 out, soon weakened
Maceo (GER)
12- Form 2241F-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey P Aspell
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
Dr Charlie
225- Form 61-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
led, headed after 4th, led again 4 out to approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
Golfagent
50- Form PF2123
- Age 4
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer P D Evans
- Jockey R Thornton
in touch and keen, every chance from 3 out, ridden and switched left flat, not pace of winner
In depth
Verdict
A competitive handicap hurdle here which can go to the light weight Red Sun. John Mackie's five-year-old had plenty of experience for one so young and gets in this on a very handy mark again. Admittedly he would probably prefer faster ground, but he looks to have every chance judged on his Market Rasen win in June. Maceo is perhaps the one to chase him home. Raised 4lbs for a recent Wetherby win in what was a muddling sort of a race, Mary Reveley's eight-year-old should get the trip comfortably and further improvement is entirely possible. Old man Serenus has been a tremendous servant over both hurdles and fences. Back over the smaller obstacles, there is no reason why he can't run a big race if he retains his hurdles ability. Telimar Prince was the winner of a soft ground maiden hurdle at Fontwell in March, but has much more on his plate here, and Burundi is likely to be closer at the finish judged on his win at the same track in May. A proven good ground performer, he should go close if he gets the trip. Martin Pipe's Intox III enjoyed dual success at Newton Abbot last season and is both exposed as well as one who prefers faster ground. Dr Charlie was an eyecatching fast ground winner at Warwick over the same trip and though improvement looks likely, this is a much tougher assignment and it also looks just a bit beyond the promising four-year-old Golfagent at this stage of his career.