Racecards
14:25 Stratford
Racecourse Video Services Novices' Hurdle (Class D) (Class D)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: None specified
Rakalackey
17- Form 55-1610
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey R Thornton
mid-division, stayed on, headway after 7th, led 9th until pulled up lame after 3 out
- Form 1421
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey W T Kennedy
held up, headway approaching 8th, chased winner after 3 out, every chance last, stayed on
- Form 103
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden after next, every chance when pecked 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
jumped deliberately, in touch, lost place and not fluent 7th, pulled up after 8th
- Form 0F0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey M Bradburne
reminders after 3rd, always towards rear, tailed off
Earls Rock
15- Form 04000
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Cresswell
- Jockey W A Worthington
prominent, hampered 8th, weakened 3 out
- Form 000
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey B Hitchcott
led to 5th, weakened 9th, no chance when mistake 3 out, tailed off
- Form 2/R0-04
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey T J Phelan
held up, stayed on approaching 2 out, never dangerous
- Form 60
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey Paul Moloney
mid-division, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Rudi's Charm
21- Form 50-0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D Thompson
- Jockey D McGann
soon chasing leader, led 5th until 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
- Form 040-302
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer John Allen
- Jockey L P Aspell
mid-division, headway after 7th, left in lead after 3 out, stayed on well
Stanway
12- Form 4230F0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs Mary Hambro
- Jockey C Llewellyn
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out
- Form U0541
- Age 4
- Weight 10-13
prominent, bad mistake 8th, not recover
In depth
Verdict
A competitive start to proceedings can go to Rakalackey ahead of Red Ruffles, Business Traveller and Sindapour. The latter was the best of these on the Flat, having won the Ascot Stakes last summer, but has not looked a world-beater since going hurdling. Nevertheless, he can only improve and should not be left out of calculations. However, we are going to take a chance with Rakalackey who is dropped in grade here. Henry Daly's inmate, a half-brother to Young Spartacus, has a penalty to carry but will find this less exacting than when eighth to Garde Champetre at Aintree. He may have most to fear from Red Ruffles who is on the upgrade and who missed a similar engagement recently to wait for this. Business Traveller beat Glencoyle at Newbury last time and seems to have thrived since being stepped up in trip. Another three furlongs here will not worry him and Richard Price's gelding is not to be ruled out. The winner should come from the quartet mentioned, and we return to Rakalackey as the answer.