Racecards
14:10 Newton Abbot
At The Races Virgin 534 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £5,400 added
- Winner: £3,509
- 2nd: £1,030
- 3rd: £515
- 4th: £258
- Form 45-6096
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
took keen hold, held up towards rear, weakened from halfway, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
Cool George
25- Form U44233
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Miss J Du Plessis
- Jockey James Best
with leader, every chance 2 out, in 3rd when left 2nd at last, one pace
- Form 1-03224
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to lead 2 out, soon hung left, kept on well
- Form PP0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Miss L Blackford
- Jockey Conor Smith
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened
- Form P-4PP83
- Age 9
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Aodhagan Conlon
led, headed 2 out, in 2nd and held when fell last
- Form 75
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Miss L Blackford
- Jockey M G Nolan
held up towards rear, weakened halfway
- Form 8068
- Age 5
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer Mrs Caroline Keevil
- Jockey Ian Popham
held up behind, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, refused last
Kayf Charmer
40- Form 00
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
held up in rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when fell between last 2 hurdles
In depth
Verdict
Rody was racing for the first time over hurdles in more than two years when third over track and trip at the start of the month but the winner has been well beaten since. After being placed three times in novice company, HOWLONGISAFOOT was fourth in a class 3 handicap at Ascot last month. He's rated 7lb higher than Cool George by the assessor and should be opening his account in this.
Formwatch
Brogeen Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, took keen hold, dived left 1st, headway 7th, mistake and no extra 2 out, 6th of 7, 42l behind Aldopicgros (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Cool George 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced in clear 3rd before bypassed 2 out, ridden and no chance with front pair before last, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Fayette County (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 7-1fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 4th of 17, 11l behind Heronry (11-2) at Ascot 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Lord Carrigross (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Chased clear leading trio until before 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Sail By The Sea (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Rody (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Slight lead until 4th, pressed leader, pushed along before 6th, ridden to lead again narrowly after 3 out, headed before 2 out, no chance with easy winner, dropped to 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Volt Face (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
Wolfe Mountain (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, prominent, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Trickaway (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Mrs Winchester (IRE) 150-1 (10-0) Held up behind in touch, struggling 6th, tailed off 2 out, 8th of 11, well behind Max Ward (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Kayf Charmer 66-1 (10-3) Mid-division on inside, lost pace 8f out, struggling 6f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 43l behind Miss Estela (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) sft in Mar.
Wansbeck 50-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, pulled up, in a race won by Baltimore Rock (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.