Racecards
18:45 Stratford
Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap Chase (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 110y
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places, Chase Course: Soft, Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
Palua
37- Form 7414P3-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey B Fenton
tracked leader, led 4th, headed after 7th, weakened 4 out
- Form 317524-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
towards rear, some progress 9th, never on terms, weakened 3 out
- Form 2/P32P-P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 127
in touch, ridden and headway 8th, chased leader 3 out, led last all out
- Form 4/3U6P3-
- Age 11
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer J L Needham
- Jockey Paul Moloney
led, not fluent 4th, headed 5th, led again 8th, ridden 2 out, joined soon after, headed last, all out
- Form 5561P-5
- Age 8
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 108
tracked leaders, mistake 9th, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 22422-5
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer R J Hodges
- Jockey T Scudamore
alway in rear
In depth
Verdict
Feel The Pride can give weight away to Jupon Vert, with Palua seen as the other main contender. Feel The Pride has won here before, albeit over hurdles and has won over fences this season, at Doncaster in November. Jonjo O'Neill's charge disappointed at Wincanton on his last outing in February, but seems to be better going left-handed in a small field, so as long as he is anywhere near fit, a big run is on the cards. Jupon Vert races from over a stone out of the handicap but has been placed on many occasions, so may give the selection most to do. Palua has to give away weight all round and needs to dominate to be seen to best effect. That will probably not be hard in this field but his recent form is not encouraging. The rest make little or no appeal at all, and overall it is Feel The Pride that commands the most respect.