Racecards
17:15 Stratford
Walls And Ceilings International Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 141/3F8-
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up, hit 3rd, went remote 3rd, 9th until approaching 2 out, tailed off
- Form P46-371
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey H Oliver
held up, mistake 4th, lost touch after 8th, tailing off when blundered 4 out
- Form P61PP-8
- Age 10
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer J R Cornwall
- Jockey R Hobson
chased leading pair until 6th, lost further ground from 3 out
- Form 41-2132
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
held up, went 3rd 6th, chased winner after 8th, never reduced deficit
- Form 26F3-65
- Age 11
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
chased winner, not fluent 5th, lost 2nd after 8th, soon weakened
- Form 3U424-3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer N R Mitchell
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up, went 4th 8th, no impression
- Form F/PP2P-P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 89
always behind, mistake 7th, tailed off next, pulled up before 9th
- Form 0PP4F4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 89
held up, mistake 6th, ridden 7th, tailed off next, pulled up before 9th
Dalriath
7- Form 4U5F55
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer M C Chapman
- Jockey T Messenger
held up, mistake 3rd and 9th, went moderate to 3rd before 2 out
Cheeky Lad
11- Form 554461
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey T J O'Brien
jumped well, made all, clear approaching 4th, unchallenged (hand timed)
- Form 27/46-44
- Age 10
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Waterspray, Eljay's Boy and James Victor are shortlisted here and Eljay's Boy, a consistent performer, can claim due reward for those efforts. Waterspray won a small race at Bangor last time but had earlier been well beaten at Newton Abbott. he appears to win his share but the feeling is that he is vulnerable here conceding weight to his principal rivals. James Victor has lived up to his name on a couple of occasions but his last success came a year ago. He is experienced over fences but the balance of his recent form suggests he can be taken on. Eljay's Boy rarely runs a bad race and has run well in defeat on his last two starts. he still appears to be well treated and an event of this nature appears to be within his compass. Eljay's Boy gets the vote.
Formwatch
Specular (AUS) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 22l behind Gone Too Far (11-9) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs.
Waterspray (AUS) 15-8fav (11-8) Led, headed 5th, led again 7th, ridden 2 out, left clear last, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jul beating College City (11-7) by 11l, 7 ran.
Eljay's Boy 5-2jt-fav (10-13) Held up, headway 9th, led 11th, headed briefly next, headed 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Sento (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Aug.
New Bird (GER) 12-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 18l behind Barton Park (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
James Victor (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Led, headed 4 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Il Penseroso (10-12) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Aug.
Play Master (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Held up last, slight effort 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 5, 16l behind Stoneyford Ben (11-7) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Aug.
Cheeky Lad 4-1 (10-8) Raced keen, led 3rd, clear from 4th, eased flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Aug beating Gipsy Cricketer (11-0) by 15l, 8 ran.
Jarro (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, 18l behind Il Penseroso (10-12) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Aug.