Racecards
19:30 Stratford
White Swan Hotel Handicap Hunters' Chase (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 205y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £6,600 added
- Winner: £3,388
- 2nd: £1,694
- 3rd: £847
- 4th: £424
- Form 129/211-
- Age 11
- Weight 12-7
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Miss N Parker
chased leaders, went close 2nd 6th, led 3 out, headed off final bend, weakened flat
- Form 11111/3-
- Age 10
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer S Loxton
- Jockey Mr D Maxwell
prominent, led 4th, not fluent and headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, every chance final bend, mistake last, weakened flat
- Form 1/P664-2
- Age 10
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer Mrs L Hill
- Jockey Mrs Izzie Hill
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, pushed along 4 out, not fluent 3 out, jumped right and not fluent 2 out, led after final bend, jumped right and unseated rider last
- Form 23/P41-F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Miss V Collins
- Jockey Miss Lucy Turner
in rear, not fluent 2nd, closed from 4 out, hit 2 out, left 2nd last, pressing winner towards finish, just held
- Form 4F/31-94
- Age 11
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer J Scott
- Jockey Maj Charlie O'Shea
prominent 1st, soon lost place, 4th when not fluent 10th, slow 11th, jumped left 4 out, hampered 2 out, stayed on from final bend, close 2nd when left in lead last, pressed towards finish, held on well
- Form U5222-3
- Age 12
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Miss H Brookshaw
- Jockey Mr Tommie M O'Brien
not always fluent, prominent on outside, blundered 6th, soon lost place, mistake 9th, pulled up before next
- Form 457/P1-P
- Age 13
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer R Bevis
- Jockey Toby Wynne
led until not fluent 3rd, jumped right and not fluent 7th, not fluent 8th, struggling next, tailed off before 4 out, pulled up after
In depth
Verdict
ALCALA faces a tough task at the head of the weights and it's interesting to see the champion trainer apply a first-time tongue tie and cheekpieces. Not always the most straightforward, the selection still retains a high percentage of ability at 11 and frequently finds a way to eke out victories. The weight may anchor the gelding but hopefully his class edge will prove crucial. Monsieur Gibraltar has been a fine servant to Paul Nicholls and the Loxton family and would probably be good enough at his best but the jury is somewhat out after a low-key return last time after a lengthy break. Clondaw Westie and Zamparelli add further spice to an intriguing handicap.
Formwatch
Alcala (FR) 3-10fav (12-6) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 11th until before 2 out, rallied to challenge at the last, stayed on to lead run-in, won at Ascot 3m (5) gd in Mar beating Tanit River (11-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Held up, pushed in 2nd after 3 out, ridden after last and dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Peacocks Secret (11-12) at Fakenham 3m (5) gd in Mar.
Clondaw Westie (IRE) 11-2 (11-13) Always prominent, ridden in 3rd between last 2, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Marcle Ridge (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in Apr.
Zamparelli (IRE) 15-2 (11-13) Held up and behind, fell 6th, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in Apr.
Keltus (FR) 33-1 (12-1) Chased leader until before 8th, went 2nd again 10th until 15th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, plugged on run-in, 4th of 5, 10 1/2l behind Law Of Gold (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f (6) gd in May.
Bletchley Castle (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) (tt) led; clr 4-12; hdd 15; wknd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Waterloo Warrior (12-0) at Tabley 3m gd in May.
Crazy Jack (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) (cp) prom til lost plce aft 7; t.o & pu 2 out, at Mollington 2m 4f gs in May.