Racecards
15:10 Stratford
Knight Frank Handicap Hurdle (Class D) (For The Charles Lea Memorial Trophy) (Class D)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m 3f
- Going: None specified
- Form 6202-13
- Age 12
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer W Goldsworthy
- Jockey R Johnson
held up, headway after 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression approaching 2 out, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner
- Form 11005-0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
Mike Simmons
28- Form 06000-1
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer L Grassick
- Jockey James Davies
chased leaders, ridden 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
- Form P0661-6
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs H Bridges
- Jockey Miss Lucy Bridges
chased leader until after 9th, weakened after next
- Form 45143-3
- Age 12
- Weight 10-9
held up, ridden after 10th, weakened approaching 4 out
Brush A King
14- Form 4005-63
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
always prominent, chased leader after 9th, led 3 out, strongly pressed when left well clear last
- Form 3030-21
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Candlish
- Jockey A P McCoy
mid-division, mistake 7th, headway 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, eased and pulled up before 3 out
Silver Gift
14- Form 3644-04
- Age 7
- Weight 10-6
held up in rear, steady headway 8th, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, joined winner when fell last
Hi Tech
21- Form P/5540-6
- Age 5
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey J Mogford
held up, mistake 7th, weakened next, pulled up after 9th
- Form F/F04-02
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer Mrs Barbara Waring
- Jockey J Pritchard
behind until blundered and unseated rider 8th
In depth
Verdict
Major Shark still looks nicely treated and can see off the challenge of Mike Simmons and Blasket Sound in a fairly wide-open event. Stamina will be the key here as Major Shark bids to follow up his win of 11 days ago at Cartmel. In what was a really competitive contest, the six-year-old took up the running four out and simply galloped his rivals into the ground. He was not stopping at the finish and should have no problems getting this marathon trip today. Mike Simmons also hit winning form last time, beating the selection to the tune of 18 lengths at Uttoxeter in early May. However, Major Shark is now well over a stone better off at the weights and as stated, will relish this longer trip. Mr Dow Jones has topweight to overcome and surely no improvement at the age of 12, while Martha Reilly has course form to her name in the past, but in the main has been out of form. Blasket Sound was consistent enough last season and was third over this trip at Newton Abbot last time. He is another that is a light of former days though, and Major Shark has a good chance of adding to his tally at the weights.