Racecards
15:55 Newbury
K2 Recruitment Jane Shouler Birthday Novices' Hurdle (Class C)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good
- Form 162115
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
in touch, headway approaching 4 out, led last, shaken up and ran on well, readily
Dictum (GER)
14- Form 21
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Mrs Susan Nock
- Jockey C Llewellyn
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, left in lead briefly 4 out, pressed leader, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
in touch, ridden 4 out, mistake next, kept on same pace
Arc En Ciel
590- Form 0-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 123
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey T Doyle
led, 2 lengths clear and still going well when fell 4 out
Invitation
60- Form 60
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A Charlton
- Jockey S Fox
chased leaders until 3rd, soon behind
King Eider
26- Form 46
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M Foley
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden to press leaders approaching last, kept on
- Form 2/6
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, headed last, kept on but not pace of winner
- Form 4-6P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Old
- Jockey L P Aspell
mid-division until 4th, soon behind
- Form 23
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
tracked leaders, close 4th when badly hampered 4 out, kept on same pace
- Form 0-0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Antony Evans
always towards rear
In depth
Verdict
Useful on the flat in Germany, Dictum, who showed promise on his hurdling debut when chasing home Howle Hill, opened his account in fine style in heavy ground at Ascot last month but may struggle to follow up under today's conditions so our vote goes to Vintage Premium, who is preferred to Albuhera. The last mentioned has already won five times over hurdles and has been given a break since disappointing behind Perle de Puce at Ascot in December. He has claims under just an 8lb penalty but Vintage Premium is preferred. Richard Fahey's gelding is coming to hurdling late in his career but has shown decent form in both starts so far finishing second behind Chivalry on his debut before running creditably when third to Archie Babe at Wetherby in November. The seven-year-old has been given a break since then and the fact that connections are persevering with him and have booked Tony McCoy is a hint worth taking. Nicky Henderson's King Eider has failed to deliver in two starts so far but should not be discounted lightly while Cooldine King is another worthy of a mention now that the stable of Paul Webber is back among the winners. However, Vintage Premium has shown plenty of promise in his two starts so far and is taken to open his account over hurdles.