Racecards
20:10 Stratford
Visit racingtv.com Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 98y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £8,650 added
- Winner: £4,568
- 2nd: £2,102
- 3rd: £1,051
- 4th: £526
- Form 331-121
- Age 5
- Weight 12-2
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey S Bowen
tracked leaders on inside, awkward at 6th, dropped to rear after 8th, left modest 4th next, went poor 3rd before the last
- Form 66-2153
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer J J Hanlon
- Jockey B S Hughes
wore ear plugs, jumped right at times, tracked leader, led 9th, went right and headed 2 out, soon outpaced and no chance with easy winner
Opening Bid
20- Form 1332-11
- Age 8
- Weight 11-13
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer C J Down
- Jockey Bryan Carver
raced keenly in close 3rd, left 2nd at 9th, led 2 out, soon clear, easily
- Form P3P-713
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer Claire Hitch
- Jockey C Gethings
held up last, gained a place at 8th, left 3rd next, outpaced and struggling 2 out, weakened into 4th before mistake last
- Form P04-411
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer N B King
- Jockey J M Quinlan
led, already headed when fell 9th
- Form 7/324-12
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey Adam Wedge
NonRunner
In depth
Verdict
A cracking little heat with all six arriving in good or winning form. LINE OF DESCENT has a 7lb penalty for a smooth Southwell success just over a week ago and is clearly in great heart having landed three of his last four starts. He's also proving a model of consistency and gets on well with Sean Bowen. He's worth sticking with at present although this looks a trickier assignment than last time. Opening Bid has scored on three of his last six starts and seeks a hat-trick after a cosy Newton Abbot victory. He should go well again. Go Fox is another hat-trick seeker and is not discounted despite this rise in class but the main danger could prove to be Lakefield Flyer. A line can be easily struck through his most recent start and previous runs in Ireland give him every chance with Brian Hughes booked.
Formwatch
Line Of Descent (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Tracked leader, led 9th, ridden clear 2 out, comfortable, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Glajou (11-9) by 12l, 6 ran.
Lakefield Flyer (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Got loose before start, chased leader, led before 3rd, soon clear, reduced lead 6th, 2l ahead 3 out, soon headed and driven, tailed off 2 out, 3rd of 4, 23 1/2l behind Feel The Pinch (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Opening Bid 8-11fav (11-13) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd at 9th, pushed along and led after 3 out, kept on well, readily, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Princess Midnight (11-9) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Holerday Ridge (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Chased winner, hit 7th, not fluent 9th, lost 2nd after 4 out, weakened, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Abaya Du Mathan (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Go Fox 5-2fav (11-2) Made all, challenged from 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, forged away approaching last, kept on well run-in, readily, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Famoso (10-6) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
First Angel (FR) 6-4fav (12-0) Led until 5th, in front again after next, hit 8th, headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden before next, soon well held, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Captain Ivan (11-13) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.