Racecards
14:20 Southwell
signsolutions.org For Sponsorship Branding Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 7f 182y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £5,400 added
- Winner: £3,509
- 2nd: £1,030
- 3rd: £515
- 4th: £258
Billy Ray
125- Form 35-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer S England
- Jockey Jonathan England
held up off the pace in last trio, never on terms
Doukarov (FR)
140- Form 563-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer S Curran
- Jockey David Bass
led, went clear 3 out, reduced lead and headed next, lost 2nd between last 2, 3rd and beaten when fell last
- Form 1-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer H Whittington
- Jockey D A Jacob
raced keenly tracking leader, not fluent 5th, closed to lead 2 out, headed and mistake last, no extra run-in
- Form FPP/
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs Tracey Barfoot-Saunt
- Jockey Charlie Hammond
held up in last trio and off the pace, bit closer at 5th, plugged on in modest 4th from 3 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
Goldfox Grey
194- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B Pauling
- Jockey Thomas Bellamy
always in rear and tailed off throughout
- Form F-7
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
raced keenly in last trio, mistake 2nd, left remote 3rd at the last, never on terms
- Form P-6
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer S A Harris
- Jockey Ross Chapman
chased leading pair, pushed along and lost 3rd after 3 out, weakened quickly
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer K Frost
- Jockey B S Hughes
held up off the pace in 4th, closer in 3rd after 3 out, 2nd between last 2, closed to lead last, soon clear
In depth
Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner MEDALLA DE ORO went very close over track and trip at the start of the month and a repeat effort should be good enough in this company. Billy Ray may do better on this faster surface having failed to figure in a couple of previous outings over timber while Doukarov has placed over hurdles in France and debuts for new connections. A winner on the Flat, Perfect Grace has also switched yards and is rated much higher on the level than Goldfox Grey.
Formwatch
Billy Ray 50-1 (8-13) Slow into stride in touch, pushed along and lost place 3f out, 8th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Birds Of Prey (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Doukarov (FR) (11-0) 3rd of 12, 7l behind Saint Lagrange (10-1) at Mont De Marsan 2m 2f hcp in Feb.
Medalla De Oro 11-2 (11-0) Led, mistake 3rd, jumped left 5th, ridden after 2 out, mistake last, headed and not much room towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Enemy Coast Ahead (11-0) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Test Valley (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Reared up badly as stalls opened, behind most of way, 8th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Sunshineandbubbles (8-13) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Goldfox Grey 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, driven over 4f out, ridden 3f out, soon lost place, behind over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 15, dist behind Cat Royale (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Piano Stairs (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, well held 6th when ducked right on landing 2 out, went right again on landing last, 7th of 12, dist behind Enemy Coast Ahead (11-0) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Harbour Sunrise 250-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, some headway from before 2 out, no chance with leaders, 6th of 12, 28 1/2l behind Sangha River (11-0) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Perfect Grace 9-4fav (8-13) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Carnival Rose (9-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Jan.