Racecards
15:15 Stratford
Springs Lakeside Caravan Park (Pershore) Handicap Hurdle (Class D) (Class D)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: None specified
- Form 0P00/0-1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
always behind, lost touch 5th
Del La Rosa
419- Form 20PP15/
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey C Studd
held up rear, headway and not fluent 5th, ridden next, pulled up before 2 out
Gimmick (FR)
196- Form P2/2100-
- Age 10
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up rear, headway 4th, led and hit 3 out, soon ridden, ran on well
- Form 056F20-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer C R Dore
- Jockey N D Fehily
prominent, led 4th, headed after 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
- Form 01-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Lady Connell
- Jockey D Flavin
led, headed 4th, weakened next, pulled up before 6th
- Form P006-32
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D Burchell
- Jockey Mr N Williams
tracked leaders, led briefly 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out
- Form 2053/P0-
- Age 9
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer C Down
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up rear, headway 5th, with clear leaders 3 out, chased winner 2 out, under pressure and hung left, ran on flat
- Form 00U-413
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, ridden and headway 6th, outpaced soon after, stayed on well from 2 out
- Form 04-3016
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer D Thompson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
tracked leaders, with clear leaders 3 out, ridden and weakened flat
- Form P/0150-6
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer C Bennett
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
- Form P005-3
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey B Hitchcott
held up and keen hold, headway on inside 4th, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Ottoman is in fair form at present and should go close, with Marrel, Francis Bay and Sovereign State all making for an interesting contest. This handicap could be quite competitive, but Ottoman will be at home on the fast ground and lines up with a leading chance. By Grand Lodge, he was brought over from Australia by Richard Guest as there were not too many opportunities for him over longer trips down under, and he has paid his way since. Successful at Hexham in May, he failed to defy a rise in the weights when third at Uttoxeter next time, but the faster conditions here should suit and he is taken to bounce back. He gets over a stone from Francis Bay who bids to follow up his easy win over fences at Wetherby on only his second start for Sue Smith. The nine-year-old was no slouch over hurdles in Ireland and should be in at the finish. The visored Marrel should appreciate the drop back in trip after chasing home Major Shark at Cartmel and is another that can be considered for place purposes, but Sovereign State may struggle if turned out after his exertions at Uttoxeter three days ago. Gimmick returns from a break so it may be prudent to watch the market, and for the winner we return to Ottoman.