Racecards
14:30 Stratford
Birmingham Mail Handicap Chase (Class 5)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Form 731-663
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Mrs L Hill
- Jockey Christian Williams
always in rear, struggling 9th, tailed off
- Form 1U55-63
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer C E Longsdon
- Jockey R Johnson
prominent, led 4th to 6th, soon led again, headed 8th, weakened 2 out
- Form 7074-5P
- Age 11
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer C N Kellett
- Jockey Dave Crosse
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 4th, led 8th until after 2 out, soon beaten
- Form 29/363-8
- Age 9
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, soon outpaced, went 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair
- Form 1346-P6
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer Mrs Tracey Barfoot-Saunt
- Jockey W T Kennedy
mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 44P-323
- Age 9
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer P D Evans
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, led last, ran on
Gazump (FR)
26- Form 8PP8P-8
- Age 11
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer Miss L Blackford
- Jockey J Kington
prominent, jumped right, led 6th, soon headed, weakened 3 out, tailed off
- Form P/4325-3
- Age 10
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 79
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 5PP4FP-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer Mrs H R J Nelmes
- Jockey O Nelmes
always in rear
- Form F327-3U
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
mid-division, ridden after 6th, struggling after 3 out
- Form P/4P6P-3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer A W Carroll
- Jockey A Freeman
held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, led after 2 out, not fluent and headed last, one pace flat
Harry May
282- Form F6P/2RP-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey O Dayman
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
- Form P5PP-45
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 66
- Trainer S T Lewis
- Jockey L Treadwell
in rear, behind 4th, mistake 6th, pulled up before 7th
- Form PP34-69
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer N R Mitchell
- Jockey D Laverty
led until after 2nd, remained prominent, weakening when hampered 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form 7P/64P-4
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 61
- Trainer B Leavy
- Jockey Michael Murphy
chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form 5046P-P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 92
Nonrunner
- Form 002/FPP-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 79
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
This should be a competitive handicap with the likes of the inform Past Heritage and Sarahs Gift expected to make the minors but our selection goes the way of David Evans' CLASSIC SHOT. The gelding hasn't been in the best of form of late but this race represents a great chance for him to record his first win. The step down in trip is likely to prove beneficial and the appointment of Noel Fehily should give the nine-year-old the edge. Past Heritage put in an encouraging effort last time, when returning from a lengthy spell away from the track. Any improvement should see him make the frame again in what should be a more challenging race. Sarahs Gift, who unseated his rider last time, has proven to be a frustrating sort throughout his career. He's yet to win in 31 attempts but often makes the placings and similar can be expected here. No Greater Love and Rookery Lad have won over course and distance in the past but look well off the boil of late. Kellys Fable could be a threat to the front three if she continues to show improvement but for us non look like getting the better of Classic Shot.
Formwatch
Milesian King (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) (tt) led 8-13; no imp 3 out, last of 3, 14l behind Dante's Back (11-0) at Bratton Down 3m ptp gd in May.
No Greater Love (FR) 9-2 (10-4) Led, clear approaching 4 out, four lengths ahead when blundered badly 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Tubber Gael Holly (10-6) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Rookery Lad 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, lost place 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Uptown Lad (9-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jun, 14 ran.
Billyandi (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, 8th of 9, 38l behind Kikos (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Sarobar (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, weakened 10th, 6th of 13, 29l behind Dan Ryan (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Classic Shot (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) (cp) a bhnd; to, 3rd of 5, 45l behind Sheknowsyouknow (11-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m ptp gf in May.
Gazump (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Jumped badly right, led until 5th, chased leaders until 9th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 10, 22l behind Just Like That (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Past Heritage 8-1 (10-12) In touch, went 4th 6th, blundered 4 out, soon ridden, hung left from 2 out, kept on, drifted left flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Just Like That (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Kova Hall (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Always in rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Conny Nobel (10-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
Sarahs Gift (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Chased leaders, bumped and lost place 5th, progress to go 3rd after 8th, 3 lengths down when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Milton Des Bieffes (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jun, 6 ran.
Cloonavery (IRE) 25-1 (12-5) (cp) prom; lft 2nd 10; wknd app 15; to, 3rd of 5, well behind Overlut (12-5) at Pentreclwydau 3m ptp in May.
Harry May 14-1 (10-1) Soon prominent, disputed lead 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after next, in a race won by Norminster (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) In touch on outside, ridden approaching 4 out, looking unwilling after 3 out, beaten when mistake 2 out, 5th of 16, 11l behind Red Jester (11-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Lethal Gun (IRE) 22-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, eased, 9th of 10, 25l behind Just Like That (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Kenwyn 9-2 (10-0) Held up, awkward and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Just Like That (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jun, 10 ran.
Kellys Fable 33-1 (10-0) Led, headed 8th, soon driven and no impression, 4th of 11, 28l behind Best Of The Lot (11-7) at Southwell 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May.
Inn For The Dancer 20-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, pulled up before last, in a race won by Massams Lane (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun, 14 ran.
Action Spirit (GER) 14-1 (11-2) Led, not fluent 4th, headed 8th, soon weakened and tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Huguenot (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.