Racecards
16:20 Stratford
Cablesandstuff.com Novices' Chase
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places; Hurdle: Good to Firm, Good in places)
- Surface: Turf
- Form 4353-U1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey R Johnson
chased leader from 3rd, led 13th, narrow advantage when fell 2 out, remounted
- Form 4/5331P-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
always prominent, with leader when blundered and left clear 2 out, ridden out
- Form 6F-1R33
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer P T Dalton
- Jockey A Thornton
led until 13th, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10 lengths 4th when fell 2 out
- Form PPFP-4P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs C J Ikin
- Jockey D Laverty
not jumped well, behind until pulled up before 9th
- Form 16266-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
took keen hold, held up, mistake 10th, headway 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, left 8 lengths 2nd when stumbled and slightly hampered 2 out, blundered last
- Form 1PPP-P1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer S Gollings
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
At the age of five, Mioche d'Estruval has more scope than most and is taken to score again, with Sweet Diversion and Celtic Boy his main rivals. Martin Pipe appears to have found another suitable opportunity for his French import after his recent chase debut success at Uttoxeter. He just tended to idle in front when beating Peeyoutwo and more restraining tactics will help his cause here. Mioche d'Estruval was quite useful over hurdles, having finished second in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival, and it will be no surprise if he goes on to run up a sequence on the summer ground. Pipe's inmate gets weight off both Sweet Diversion and Celtic Boy and that should sway things in his favour as well. Sweet Diversion felt the benefit of a wind operation when scoring over the course and distance in April but was pulled up as though something was amiss at Newton Abbot later that month. He is best watched perhaps, and Celtic Boy may be a bigger threat. Peter Bowen's charge was in with every chance when falling at Uttoxeter, and made amends in fine style at Worcester. It is hard to see him not being involved, but that six-pound weight difference may be the key. Of the rest, Seaniethesmuggler is worth a mention but has more on his plate, and Mioche d'Estruval is the one to beat.