Racecards
14:20 Southwell
Richard Matthews 40th Birthday Nursery (Class 6)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Standard/Slow
- Surface: Fibresand
- £2,300 added
- Winner: £1,570
- 2nd: £463
- 3rd: £232
- Form 837251
- Age 2
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 58
- Trainer P D Evans
- Jockey Matt Cosham
behind, headway on wide outside 2f out, stayed on to 3rd well inside final furlong, not pace to reach leading duo
Pyrenean
20- Form 804
- Age 2
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer J G Given
- Jockey J-P Guillambert
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
- Form 978335
- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer R Harris
- Jockey Andrea Atzeni
took keen hold, chased leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 2522
- Age 2
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey William Carson
dwelt, soon chased leaders, went 3rd 3f out, stayed on to well held 2nd inside final furlong
- Form 97971
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer B Smart
- Jockey Martin Lane
slowly into stride, soon pushed along and chased leader, led over 3f out until 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
- Form 580065
- Age 2
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 47
- Trainer A Bailey
- Jockey Catherine Gannon
chased leaders on inside, reminders over 4f out, stayed on inside in straight, led well over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong
- Form 800657
- Age 2
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer D Shaw
- Jockey R Fitzpatrick
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened soon after
In depth
Verdict
BETTER SELF won nicely over today's trip at Wolverhampton last week and has a 6lb penalty as a result. However, this looks easier and providing she takes to the surface she looks capable of following up. Fearless Poet is also burdened with a penalty for his recent victory over a mile here and this drop back in distance is a worry. Norton Girl has proved better over 6f so far and Pyrenean could prove a bigger threat to the selection on her handicap debut.
Formwatch
Better Self 5-1 (8-7) Slowly into strde, behind, headway on outside 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Sky Diamond (9-4) by 4l, 8 ran.
Pyrenean 66-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden and effort when carried left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Rutland Boy (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Local Diktator 50-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 9l behind Silence Is Bliss (8-9) at Lingfield 7f 2yo clm stks (6) pol.
Norton Girl 7-4fav (8-6) Led, headed 4f out, ridden and every chance 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Endaxi Mana Mou (8-1) at Southwell 7f 2yo clm stks (6) fbs in Nov.
Fearless Poet (IRE) 10-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden to challenge 3f out, stayed on under pressure to lead entering final furlong, all out, won at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Investment World (8-2) by hd, 8 ran.
Granny Anne (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, stayed on well inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 11, 6l behind Verrazano (8-12) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs.
False Promises 28-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 9l behind Fearless Poet (8-2) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.