Racecards
18:30 Newton Abbot
Arkle Print Novices' Chase
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 211255
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up mid-division, headway 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, blundered badly 3 out
- Form 1F21PF
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
led to 1st, prominent, switched right 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled before 12th
- Form 324146
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer Mrs Tracey Barfoot-Saunt
- Jockey A Thornton
held up towards rear, headway inside 4 out, switched right and led 2 out, pushed out from last
- Form F22161
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 127
led 2nd to 3rd, chased leader until led 12th, ridden 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, tired approaching last
- Form 2130F0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey S Durack
prominent, led 3rd, reminder 8th, headed 12th, weakened 4 out, behind
- Form 44-5331
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
held up last, ridden 12th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Le Passing, Limerick Boy and Sweet Diversion look the three to concentrate on in this novices chase and there confident vote is given to Limerick Boy. The selection was a fair sort over hurdles and still had every chance when taking a crashing fall in a much better race at the Cheltenham Festival. This less taxing company should allow him more time to concentrate on his jumping and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Le Passing rates the main danger on form but although he travels well in his races he continually finds less than expected and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Sweet Diversion is another worthy of respect as he won well last time out when beating Mrs Be but her has a penalty for that win and that may just find him out in this stiffer company. Of the remainder Wrags To Riches also won well last time out when defeating East Lawyer but that form has since been let down and he needs to improve again to win this so for the winner we return to the classy Limerick Boy.
Formwatch
Limerick Boy (GER) 9-1 Mid-division, headway 6th, 3rd when fell at the 8th in race won by Like-A-Butterfly at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs, 10 ran.
Mixsterthetrixster (USA) 200-1 Keen, in touch, lost place 10th, soon behind, 6th of 12, well behind Thisthatandtother at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar.
Mondul (GER) 66-1 Prominent, not fluent when weakening 4 out, 10th of 13, 24l behind Genghis at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (A) gd.
Sweet Diversion (IRE) 7-4fav Held up, headway to chase leader 14th, ridden 3 out, slight lead when left clear 2 out, kept on, won at Stratford 3m beg chs (D) gf beating Mrs Be by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.