Racecards
14:50 Stratford
Tim Cox Associates Handicap Chase (Class 3)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 98y
- Going: Good (Watered)
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Winner: £6,498
- 2nd: £1,908
- 3rd: £954
- 4th: £477
- Form 70/1U51-
- Age 7
- Weight 12-3
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
made all, 3 lengths clear last, driven out
- Form 6269/90-
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
held up in touch in mid-division, headway before 4th, 4th and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 183252-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
tracked winner, shaken up 2 out, ridden, edged left and lost 2nd before last, stayed on same pace
- Form 5/61344-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
mid-division, headway when not fluent 8th, ridden to chase winner before last, no impression, stayed on same pace
- Form 411F32-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer N B King
- Jockey Lizzie Kelly
tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, soon beaten, weakened next, modest 4th before last
- Form 99PPP6-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
led into start, prominent on outside, lost place before 6th, behind 9th, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 4754U3-
- Age 10
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up towards rear, ridden and about 10 lengths 6th when very bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out
- Form 12PP05-
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer D Burchell
- Jockey R T Dunne
behind, hampered 3 out, always towards rear
- Form 157473/
- Age 11
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey T Scudamore
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
YORKIST won the Castleford Chase at Wetherby over Christmas and this is a big drop in class for Dan Skelton’s charge. If still at the top of his game, the nine-year-old should take all the beating though is up against a couple of real course specialists in No Likey and Johnny Og. Always On The Run is capable but probably still in the handicapper’s grip while Days Of Heaven seems best on right-handed tracks like Kempton. Mercers Court is consistent and looks the pick of the remainder as both going and trip look to be in his favour.
Formwatch
Days Of Heaven (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Made all, keen, 6 lengths clear when not fluent 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Holly Bush Henry (11-8) by 8l, 4 ran.
It's A Gimme (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Soon mid-division, no impression 2 out, 15th of 22, dist behind Lord Scoundrel (10-7) at Galway 2m 7f hcp (1) Yielding in Jul.
Always On The Run (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Led until 6th, led 8th, not fluent and headed 4 out, led last, headed flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Crosspark (11-6) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Yorkist (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Held up behind, headway to track leaders 5 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Vaniteux (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Mercers Court (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pressed winner 3 out, effort when switched left flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Sir Note (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Johnny Og 14-1 (12-1) Prominent, led 3rd until 6th, led 9th until not fluent 13th, every chance 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 7, 23l behind Minellacelebration (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
No Likey (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on well approaching last, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Johnny Og (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
One For The Boss (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Held up and behind, never on terms, 5th of 8, dist behind Some Buckle (11-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 4-1 (12-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, outpaced before 2 out, went 3rd when weakening before last, 3rd of 8, 27 1/2l behind Delta Borget (12-2) at Leicester 2m (6) hvy in Mar.