Racecards
15:20 Stratford
Lew Barclay Bookmakers Stayers Novices' Hurdle (Class C)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- Form 38-6151
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey W Marston
held up towards rear, niggled along after 7th, weakened 3 out, behind when mistake last
- Form 9F/112P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
ridden and weakened 2 out
- Form 1F2122
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer S Gollings
- Jockey T Scudamore
always prominent, mistake 1st, led 6ft, driven along after 3 out, kept on well from last
- Form 5-22132
- Age 4
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer J A Geake
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up in touch, went 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, not quicken and flat
- Form P-15
- Age 4
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer C P Morlock
- Jockey T Doyle
with leader, led 3rd to 5th, prominent until weakened quickly 9th
- Form 5/2S48-F
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer J S Moore
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up towards rear, headway 6ft, not fluent 9th, disputing close 2nd when blundered 2 out, not recover
Smileafact
46- Form 688-566
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer Mrs Barbara Waring
- Jockey B Hitchcott
chased leaders until after 7th
Fast Cindy (USA)
336- Form 56-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer P Morris
- Jockey P J Brennan
took keen hold in rear, weakened 3 out
Slinky Malinky
264- Form 08/5058-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer D G Bridgwater
- Jockey T Greenway
led at slow pace, headed 3rd, led 5th to 6th, weakened and pulled up before 8th, dismounted
In depth
Verdict
Romany Prince is selected ahead of Absolut Power, with Chase The Sunset and Explsive Fox others to note. Romany Prince has been a model of consistency this term, and is taken to get back to winning ways with conditions in his favour. Steve Gollings' charge looked the part when scoring at Cartmel in July, and there have been excuses for his two subsequent defeats, as he was giving weight away to the winners at both Stratford and Market Rasen. A decent stayer on the Flat, he is taken to just edge out Absolut Power who has also been very consistent this term. He may just find the older Romany prince too strong here, while Chase The Sunset, an easy winner at Worcester last time, will also be a popular choice, but his trainer does not like running them on fast ground and she was intending on sending him to the sales. Explosive Fox disappointed at Market Rasen, but could reach the frame if any of the principals is not up to scratch, however it is hard not to see Romany Prince taking a big hand in the finish.
Formwatch
Chase The Sunset (IRE) 11-8 (11-5) Held up, jumped right and headway 4th, led on bit 2 out, clear when jumped badly right last, easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Jul beating The Bay Bridge (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Kristoffersen 5-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Charlies Double (10-6) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jul, 10 ran.
Romany Prince 15-8fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Weston Rock (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul.
Absolut Power (GER) 15-2 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Charlies Double (10-6) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Jul.
Explosive Fox (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 11, 45l behind Weston Rock (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul.
Redspin (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up, pecked 2nd, pushed along when headway and in 4th when fell 4 out in race won by My Pal Val (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (E) gf in May, 9 ran.
Smileafact 40-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 17, 9l behind Earn Out (10-1) at Worcester 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) gf in Jun.
Fast Cindy (USA) 16-1 (10-4) Behind, brief effort after 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 26l behind Donald (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (D) gd in Sept.