Racecards
15:55 Southwell
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Novices' Selling Hurdle (Class G) (Class G)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 211022
- Age 4
- Weight 11-10
held up in touch, headway 8th, weakened 2 out
- Form 000P-PP
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer J Candlish
- Jockey A O'keeffe
held up in touch, ridden and mistake 8th, soon struggling, tailed off
- Form 3/P44-3P
- Age 11
- Weight 11-1
held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 450/U-PP
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey G Carenza
chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner
Nova Beacon
19- Form 0/0-00
- Age 12
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer S Gilmore
- Jockey R Thornton
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 4S-U22P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
chased leader, led after 7th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer W Turner
- Jockey Mr David Turner
led, clear 5th, jumped slowly 7th, soon headed and weakened, behind when hit 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 530U00
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
held up, headway approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened last
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up and behind, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led on bit approaching last, hard held
In depth
Verdict
An obvious choice, but Port Moreno does look the one to be on here despite topweight, with Medelai and Sardagna others to consider. The selection has earned topweight with some decent form in similar contests of late and a 2lb drop since his second to Miss Skippy at Worcester last month will be of assistance here. Staying is not a problem judged on his Towcester second in May and with conditions to suit and McCoy up he is the one for us. Conditions will suit Medelai if the rains stay away. The mare won on firm ground over a similar trip at Ludlow in November but has not been seen out since. That was a marked improvement for the step up in trip and she should again go well. However, the lack of a recent run might just count against her this time. Of the others Sardagna is an eyecatching debutante. Claimed in France last month by David Johnson, we expect the filly to be well schooled and although we have no idea how she will take to the British racecourse, coming from these connections it is highly likely that she will be up to producing a good run first time. Even so, Port Moreno has the experience and can take the prize.