Racecards
14:10 Southwell
Meet Captain Croc At Pontin's Handicap (Class 6)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f
- Going: Standard/Slow
- Surface: Fibresand
- £2,600 added
- Form 63-21
- Age 8
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 53
dwelt, chased leaders, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, caught post
- Form 05/817-7
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer R Brotherton
- Jockey V Slattery
always in rear, behind final 4f
- Form 4/54387-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer Miss J A Camacho
- Jockey P Hanagan
soon pushed along in mid-division, reminders 5f out, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace from over 2f out
Huggle
8- Form 55900/2
- Age 5
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer P Leech
- Jockey Liam Jones
led, headed 8f out, remained with leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching 2f out
- Form 70/5-234
- Age 8
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer P D Niven
- Jockey P McDonald
tracked leader, led 8f out, headed over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
Coda Agency
190- Form 054670-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 48
- Trainer D W P Arbuthnot
- Jockey Jim Crowley
held up towards rear, took closer order halfway, ridden over 3f out, chased leader over 2f out, switched right approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead post
- Form 603/673
- Age 9
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer A E Price
- Jockey P Fitzsimons
pulled hard, with leaders, led over 5f out, headed over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
- Form 626/0-63
- Age 6
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer Miss S E Hall
- Jockey Paul Eddery
held up in rear, headway on outside to chase leaders halfway, ridden to chase leader over 3f out until over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 600099-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer P T Midgley
- Jockey M Fenton
chased leaders, reminders over 9f out, weakened well over 3f out
Vehari
137- Form 22/6700-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 40
- Trainer G F Bridgwater
- Jockey C Catlin
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
A very poor handicap where Huggle is taken to get the better of last time winner My Friend Fritz. The selection ran second last time in a similarly terrible race, but a two-and-a-half length defeat when trying to give 8lbs to a 50-rated runner actually gives him a squeak here if, and it's a fairly big if, he can run to that level of form again, or even find more as a lightly-raced gelding. My Friend Fritz was well beaten when second here at the beginning of the month but battled well to beat Simple Jim over c&d last time in a claimer. He hasn't had much wear and tear on the track, but he has had his problems off it and provided he stays sound he can go close. Castle Frome is pretty slow and might managed to make the frame but looks an unlikely winner, Oakbridge will have his stamina stretched too far, while Nabir is in better form and sees this trip out well, so also looks a frame contender. Blushing Hilary has been kept fit over hurdles and could be a force in such an ordinary race, but Huggle is the token selection.
Formwatch
My Friend Fritz 4-1 (9-2) Made all, quickened over 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs beating Simple Jim (9-3) by a nk, 5 ran.
Oakbridge (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 22l behind Dado Mush (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jan.
Blushing Hilary (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Led over 1f, remained prominent, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Adage (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Huggle 33-1 (9-6) Led, headed after 4f, remained in touch, regained lead 4f out, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Dot's Delight (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) fbs.
Nabir (FR) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, switched right and effort over 2f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 12l behind Mid Valley (8-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Coda Agency 15-2 (9-0) Led, headed over 6f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Rajayoga (9-0) at Chepstow 2m 2f mdn hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Castle Frome (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Chased leaders and keen, tracked winner over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Wizard of Us (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Blue Opal 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, chased leader 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Contra Mundum (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jan.
Boppys Dancer 20-1 (8-9) Soon towards rear, ridden 6f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 9, 28l behind Friends Hope (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Vehari 100-1 (8-9) Dwelt, always mid-division, 14th of 15, well behind Compton Dragon (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.