Racecards
15:55 Newton Abbot
toteexacta Pick The 1, 2 Intermediate Chase (Class 2)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 110y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £30,000 added
- Winner: £18,768
- 2nd: £5,544
- 3rd: £2,772
- 4th: £1,386
- Form 01112F-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
mostly with leader, not fluent 1st, lost place and not much room after 10th, hampered 12th, weakened 4 out
- Form 113211-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R P McLernon
in touch on outside, not fluent 5th or 9th, closed after 10th, left 2nd when hampered 12th, 3rd and ridden next, weakened 3 out where not fluent
- Form 111253-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 156
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leaders, pushed along after 11th, left 3rd when hampered next, went 2nd behind clear leader 4 out, closed 2 out, led before last, stayed on
- Form 211235-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey J E Moore
led, not fluent 7th, headed 11th, close 2nd when hampered and fell next
- Form 425/232-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
took keen hold, close up on inside, went 2nd after 10th, led next, jumped slightly left and left clear 4 out, reduced lead and not fluent 2 out, headed before last, no impression flat
In depth
Verdict
Richie McLernon takes the plum ride on TAQUIN DU SEUIL. Jonjo O'Neill's seven-year-old won the Grade 1 JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March, with Double Ross third and Wonderful Charm fifth, and could be a Gold Cup horse this season. Double Ross has a chance of turning that form around here on better terms but doesn't have the same scope. Black Thunder won a Grade 2 at Lingfield in December but this could be on the sharp side for the gelding on his first start since falling in the RSA Chase in March and a bigger danger could be Colour Squadron despite the absence through injury of AP McCoy.
Formwatch
Black Thunder (FR) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place and mid-division when fell 12th, in a race won by O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Taquin Du Seuil (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hampered 4 out, headway under pressure next, soon chased leading pair, challenged between horses after 2 out, ridden and stayed on to lead narrowly final 50 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar beating Uxizandre (11-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in touch in rear, closed 14th, outpaced 3 out, went 3rd before last, plugged on, no impression, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Holywell (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Double Ross (IRE) 6-1fav (11-9) Prominent, led 7th, headed after 12th (canal turn), with winner, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner last, lost 2nd final 100 yards, dropped to 5th towards finish, 5th of 30, 11l behind Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr.
Colour Squadron (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders on inside, headway 3 out, led briefly next, ridden and kept on approaching last, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 23, 8l behind Ballynagour (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.