Racecards
14:40 Taunton
Morgan Ashurst Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £11,000 added
- Form P6/8
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey Ian Popham
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 3422-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey T J O'Brien
prominent, headway and led 6th, ridden approaching last, soon headed, weakened flat
Humble Opinion
167- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 6th, ridden in 4th 2 out, weakened approaching last
McEldowney
25- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M C Chapman
- Jockey Paul Callaghan
led and soon clear, headed 5th, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 06
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs H R J Nelmes
- Jockey O Nelmes
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
- Form F
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on and went 3rd approaching last, kept on flat
- Form 23
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 2-408
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey K Renwick
mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey S Thomas
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, challenged bend after, led approaching last, driven out
- Form 00U-597
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer Miss M Bragg
- Jockey D A Jacob
chased leader, led 5th to 6th, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 10-50
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, stayed on from last
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
HOT DIAMOND has arguably the best form of those to have raced and gets the vote over Right Stuff, Humble Opinion and Thundering Star. Finally a race of some significance as we see several interesting novices clashing. The selection has some fine form from last season without drinking from the chalice of glory. His second to stablemate Squadron has been irrefutably franked since and with the ground no problem he is taken to get off the mark. Right Stuff has shown ability in two hurdles runs, including when third recently to Michael Flips. Able to win off 71 on the flat he looks sure to make his mark over hurdles sooner rather than later. The two most interesting newcomers are Humble Opinion and Thundering Star. The former was a consistent performer in the 80's on the flat and his trainer does so well with these flat recruits, whilst the latter was only beaten by five lengths in a Group Two in May and is by far the best flat runner in the line-up. For such a powerful unit he must be respected, however will this 17 furlong trip be enough of a test for this strong stayer? At a price Shali San could perform better than recent outings may indicate however in a good race it is Hot Diamond who gets the nomination.
Formwatch
Desert Storm (DEN) 40-1 (10-7) Held up and keen, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 18, 46l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Hot Diamond 2-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance when hit last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Squadron (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Humble Opinion 13-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at York 1m 2f hcap (3) gd in May beating Peruvian Prince (8-12) by a hd, 18 ran (Flat).
McEldowney 66-1 (8-13) Held up behind leaders, reminders over 4f, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 26l behind Keenes Day (9-5) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct (Flat).
Prince Ducal (FR) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 20l behind Winged d'Argent (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Right Option (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) In touch and fell at the 4th in race won by Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul, 14 ran.
Right Stuff (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Pulled hard, mid-division, headway after 5th, hit 3 out, soon chasing winner, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Micheal Flips (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Santarctique (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, well behind Mahonia (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Thundering Star (SAF) 33-1 (9-2) Behind in touch, ridden and lost touch over 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 13l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Gold Cup (1) gf in Jun (Flat).
Forest Lodge (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) In rear, well behind 6th, headway approaching 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 16l behind Melvino (11-5) at Stratford 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Shali San (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Keen, always towards rear, 11th of 15, 29l behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Full Victory (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, led 4f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened, 6th of 11, 7l behind Sofia's Star (8-11) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Obrigado (USA) 11-2 (9-7) Towards rear, staying on but no danger when not much room inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Royal Straight (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Sept (Flat).