Racecards
18:40 Stratford
A Trouble Halved Shakespeare Hospice Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 5)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 110y
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Form 034-936
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
held up in last, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, headed just before last, soon outpaced
- Form 65-5P17
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th until 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
- Form 344211
- Age 8
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer A W Carroll
- Jockey Lee Edwards
keen early, chased leaders, ridden when not fluent 3 out, weakened after 2 out
- Form 826-33P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
led until after 1st, chased leader, led 4th, hit 9th, driven after 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 860/P7P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 77
raced keenly, not jump well, led after 1st, headed 4th, 4th when blundered and unseated rider 8th (water)
- Form 9P5-UPP
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 64
in rear, pushed along after 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, switched right and effort after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led just before last, stayed on to draw clear flat
- Form 15/2UU0-
- Age 12
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer Mrs L C Jewell
- Jockey Matthew Batchelor
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
This looks pretty competitive, but we'll go with the in-form Sarobar to make it a hat-trick at the expense of Bay Mouse and Caught In Time. Tony Carroll's gelding shouldn't find any problems with the conditions, but does step up a little in trip from recent wins at Bangor and Worcester. Don't expect him to set the pace though. Bay Mouse has won over further, but on firmer ground. Caught In Time has yet to break his maiden, but with Tony McCoy on board there's bound to be some support. He couldn't make 3 miles last time out, but this should be more his trip. Sister Agnes has won here over shorter, but that was on faster ground. Mr Parson may try and lead the way, but he's not finished his last 4 races, so we'll return to our selection as the most likely winner, and that's Sarobar.
Formwatch
Leading Article (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, effort after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, 6th of 11, 32l behind Kirby's Vic (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Bay Mouse 9-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 4th to 8th, led and hit 10th, headed 13th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, 47l behind Apollo Creed (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in Jun.
Sarobar (IRE) 3-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, led 3 out, soon under pressure, driven out from last, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Fantastic Arts (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Caught In Time (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Towards rear, reminders 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ballinruane (10-6) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Jul, 15 ran.
Arctic Emperor (IRE) 80-1 (10-13) Not jumped well, took keen hold towards rear, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Royal China (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 16 ran.
Mr Parson (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Prominent, lost place 3rd, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Distiller (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Sister Agnes (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 13, 19l behind McQueen (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
York Rite (AUS) 25-1 (9-9) In touch, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Herecomestanley (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.