Racecards
15:10 Newbury
Ladbrokes.Com Handicap Chase (Class B)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good
- Form 1/430-53
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
never going in rear, driven along from 4th, never dangerous
Il'athou (FR)
273- Form P/F2P13-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer S Sherwood
- Jockey J P McNamara
led until 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 11th
Gunner Welburn
238- Form 2/13014-
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
always behind, pulled up before last
- Form 3/4P421-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up towards rear, ridden after 12th, soon beaten
Skycab (IRE)
191- Form 1P311-3
- Age 11
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey L P Aspell
always towards rear
Devon View (IRE)
190- Form 13U32-2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
in touch, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
Redemption
14- Form F5F4-UP
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
tracked leaders, joined leader 4 out, led on bit approaching last, soon clear, easily
- Form 131UP-1
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey A P McCoy
in touch, headway 12th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on but no chance with winner
- Form 3/2P231-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
prominent, led 9th, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly approaching last
- Form P-P2131
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, ridden approaching 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
- Form FPU-254
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P J Brennan
in touch, ridden and no impression from 4 out
Asparagus (IRE)
259- Form 232331-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey S Stronge
prominent, led 7th to 9th, chased leader, ridden after 4 out, one pace
- Form 01112/1-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
never going in rear, pulled up after 12th
Avalanche (FR)
217- Form F120U4-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer J Best
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up, hit 3rd and 5th, took closer order next, ridden after 12th, weakened 3 out
In depth
Verdict
This is a wide-open race and Skycab, Itsonlyme, Gunner Wellburn and Master Tern are all set to go well, but Cracking Dawn looks to be on the upgrade and gets the vote. The selection won three point-to-points in Ireland before making a favourable impression when accounting for Brockton Mist at Haydock earlier this month. She looks a useful prospect and it would be foolish to oppose her as she could be capable of racking up a sequence of wins. Master Tern won well when beating Shardam at Aintree back in April and will relish every yard of this trip, but he's returning from a break and looks opposable here. Itsonlyme could give our choice the most to do as he was an impressive winner over Maximise at Cheltenham earlier in the month. He is fit and is progressing well so should give another good account with promising 7lb claimer Sam Thomas in the saddle. Gunner Wellburn is also worthy of consideration although he has not been seen out since finishing 4th in last year's Martell Grand National. Skycab is another tough performer who is sure to run his race, although he might still be a little high in the weights at present, while Claymore would have chances on his best form. This looks competitive, but we are happy to side with Cracking Dawn.