Racecards
20:40 Stratford
Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap Hurdle
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 3m 3f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
Ice Crystal
40- Form 125247-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer W K Goldsworthy
- Jockey L Stephens
towards rear, ridden 7th, some headway 10th, weakened after 3 out
- Form 91/P61-P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer C Tinkler
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
in touch, stumbled 6th, weakened 9th, lost touch when pulled up 2 out
- Form 239206-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer Mrs S C Bradburne
- Jockey O Nelmes
led, headed 4th, stayed prominent until weakened when mistake 4 out
- Form 8261P4-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
towards rear, headway 10th, ridden to chase leaders from 4 out, stayed on
- Form 63U33P-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5 out, lost touch when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 751P2-5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Johnson
held up mid-division, headway 10th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 97174-2
- Age 4
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T J Malone
not fluent in rear, ridden 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, ran on well to take 3rd flat
- Form 64202-1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up towards rear and going well, steady headway from 3 out to chase leaders, not quicken, soon one pace
- Form 3135-11
- Age 5
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Mrs A M Thorpe
- Jockey S Walsh
tracked leaders, chased leader from 7th, pecked 9th, ridden to lead soon after 3 out, kept on well
Tirikumba
12- Form 5P519-3
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer S G Griffiths
- Jockey R Stephens
in touch, chased winner after 3 out, ran on flat
- Form 17817-3
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
prominent, led 4th, jumped right 5 and 6, ridden 3 out, soon headed and weakened
- Form 6/40420-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer John Allen
- Jockey M Nicolls
always towards rear, behind from 11th
- Form 54F87-8
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey W Marston
Nonrunner
Tacin (IRE)
37- Form 3F1P/3P-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey J Tizzard
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Azzemour can give Paul Nicholls another winner, with Altitude Dancer, Tell The Trees and Tirikumba just three more in with claims. Azzemour has taken time to get his act together but is not badly treated for his success over two miles and five furlongs at Warwick last time, and this full brother to Montifault and Le Sauvignon should have the stamina to last out over today's trip. No doubt he will go chasing next season but can pay to follow again here in the meantime. Altitude Dancer is on hat-trick, and the way that he kept on when winning at Exeter last time suggests that he will be a threat despite having to carry a seven-pound penalty. Tell The Trees was well held when second at Aintree and she may appreciate the step up in trip to figure. Martin Pipe's four-year-old has been mixing it with older opposition this term and was successful at Fontwell in February. Tirikumba caught the eye at Worcester and from just a pound out of the handicap, can make a play for the frame at least, but our selection is Azzemour.
Formwatch
Just Beth 8-1 (11-2) In touch, chased winner after 9th, ridden from 3 out, hung left approaching last, no impression when swished tail flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Hawthorn Prince (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Kjetil (USA) 7-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden and effort after next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 7, 18l behind Shaadiva (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.
Unusual Suspect 4-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous after, 5th of 9, 14l behind Time Marches On (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Tell The Trees 5-1 (11-8) Held up behind, ridden 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind My Lady Link (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (E) gd.
Azzemour (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gf beating Sylvan Shack (11-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Altitude Dancer (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Led until 2nd, remained prominent, led after 10th, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely, won at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gf beating Carl's Boy (9-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Tirikumba 9-1 (11-3) Always prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Wayward Melody (10-9) at Worcester 3m mrs hcp hdl (E) gf.
Ardashir (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Hampered 7th, always towards rear, 8th of 13, 33l behind Mr Cool (10-4) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (B) gs.