Racecards
14:30 Southwell
grandnational.fans Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 62y
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £8,775 added
- Winner: £4,442
- 2nd: £1,312
- 3rd: £656
- 4th: £450
- Form 64U1U2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 100
blundered 1st, in touch on outside, lost place 8th, behind and struggling next, pulled up before 10th
- Form 845-326
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey Alan Johns
made most, clear 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat
- Form 432517
- Age 11
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey Danny Cook
with winner, ridden after 4 out, lost place next, weakened 2 out
- Form 35-4865
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer M R Bosley
- Jockey James Best
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, outpaced after next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, always held
- Form 2/6-3005
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer Sarah Hollinshead
- Jockey R T Dunne
held up behind, in touch in 5th when blundered 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, never on terms, weakened from 2 out
- Form 3/6-0693
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer B R Summers
- Jockey Charlie Hammond
held up in touch on outside, reminder after 10th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
- Form 09003P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer P Henderson
- Jockey T J O'Brien
held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, blundered 4 out, chased front pair next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, always held
- Form P76-P50
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Hugh Nugent
blundered 1st, held up in touch until sprawled on landing and unseated rider 5th
- Form P/7FP-P3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer Mrs L J Young
- Jockey G Sheehan
chased leaders, dropped towards rear 6th, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
In depth
Verdict
WOOD PIGEON scored at Fakenham the last time Richard Johnson was on board. He’s gone close again off today’s mark subsequently and can return to winning ways reunited with the champion jockey for this. Red Danaher can race off a lower mark than when scoring over timber at Catterick last month as he’s yet to win over fences while Normandy King returned a disappointing favourite last time having finished runner-up at Uttoxeter earlier. The remainder are harder to fancy.
Formwatch
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) With leaders, ridden to chase winner before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Steps And Stairs (12-0) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Normandy King (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Behind, never jumped well, headway under pressure 4 out, hampered next, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Ballyegan (10-3) at Towcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Red Danaher (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Prominent, reminders after 3rd, led approaching 8th, headed before mistake 9th, lost place before 2 out, 7th of 11, 34l behind Itsnonofurbusiness (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Champion Chase (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, struggling after 3 out, modest 5th when bumped last, never involved, 5th of 9, 16 3/4l behind Supakalanistic (12-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Chase Me (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and no impression, 5th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Age Of Glory (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
St Merryn (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Tracked winner, mistake 1st and 2nd, pushed along 6th, struggling in last before 4 out, no chance with winner but kept chasing 2nd until last, last of 3, 37l behind Tree Of Liberty (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Run Don't Hide (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up soon after last, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Coudefoudre (FR) 14-1 (10-10) In touch, weakened before 2 out, 12th of 13, 36 1/4l behind Sheelbewhatsheelbe (11-1) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
My Diamond (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Prominent, under pressure after 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Tactical Manoeuvre (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.