Racecards
16:40 Taunton
Amateurs' Association Mares' Only Amateurs' Handicap Hurdle (Class F )
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form 10-F60P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Mrs S D Williams
- Jockey Mr D Edwards
made virtually all, quickened after 3 out, hit 2 out, ridden approaching last, finished tired
Diletia
63- Form 22/U455
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey Mr D Jacob
held up towards rear, ridden every 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, took 2nd flat, nearest finish
- Form R46136
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey Mr T J Dreaper
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Form P61-052
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer J D Frost
- Jockey Mr D Mckenna
saddle slipped and pulled up after 2nd
- Form 65-6206
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey Mr B Shaw
mid-division, ridden before 9th and soon weakened
- Form P34445
- Age 9
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer S G Griffiths
- Jockey Miss E J Jones
held up in mid-division, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 9th
- Form F41216
- Age 11
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey Mr G Barfoot-Saunt
chased leader, weakened before 8th, pulled up before 9th
Starry Mary
21- Form 520200
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer R J Price
- Jockey Mr G Tumelty
mid-division, ridden and headway 9th, stayed on one pace from last
Purple Patch
17- Form 323642
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer C L Popham
- Jockey Mr A Glassonbury
in touch, ridden and chased winner 3 out, one pace
- Form 255545
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer Mrs H M Bridges
- Jockey Miss Lucy Bridges
prominent, ridden and mistake 8th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 000060
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer D P Keane
- Jockey Mr T J O'Brien
held up in mid-division, ridden 9th, soon weakened
Red Dahlia
21- Form 146505
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer M Pitman
- Jockey Miss Zoe Lilly
held up last, ridden after 3 out, stayed on one pace
- Form 0-P5504
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer S C Burrough
- Jockey Mr W P Kavanagh
prominent, ridden and chased winner 8th, mistake 9th, weakened 2 out
Arctic Glow
24- Form 00-561P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer Mrs H Pudd
- Jockey Mr L Heard
held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, stayed on for 2 out
- Form P056RP
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer R H Buckler
- Jockey Rachael Green
always towards rear, ridden 9th, no impression
- Form 0P0/PP4
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer C P Morlock
- Jockey Mr L Newnes
prominent, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out
In depth
Verdict
This is pretty modest stuff with a shortlist cobbled together of Sword Lady, Broadbrook Lass, Starry Mary, Purple Patch and Arctic Glow, with a tentative vote going to Starry Mary. The best case for the defence of the selection's chances that I can put together is that the best of her November 2004 and January 2005 form puts her in the picture from her current mark. Her rider is not too bad either, which counts for a good deal in this type of contest. Purple Patch has a fairly similar profile, which brings her into things, while much as Sword Lady has failed to show a great deal since defeating The Bar Maid at Towcester 11 months ago, she has first-time blinkers on today. Much as Broadbrook Lass has won two of her last four races, they have been over fences, although the fact that she is rated 17lbs lower over hurdles than she is over fences means that she has to be considered. Arctic Glow won a course and distance seller off a five-pound lower mark two runs ago when dropped to this grade for the first time and, in what as we say is a weakish race, has to be considered again. Finally, Classic China could attract support and do not dismiss the chance of Lady Of Lisle, despite the fact that she is racing from ten pounds out of the weights. Overall, though, we are happy enough to side with Starry Mary.
Formwatch
Sword Lady 12-1 Soon pushed along in rear, lost touch and pulled up at the 6th in race won by He's The Guv'nor at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Diletia 7-1 Held up in touch, not fluent and reminders 6th, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 44l behind Kim Fontenail at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (E) gd in Dec.
Longstone Lady (IRE) 8-1 In touch, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Field Roller at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Tirikumba 7-1 Held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 13l behind Mrs Pickles at Hereford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (F) sft.
Broadbrook Lass 10-3fav Led until approaching 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind El Hombre Del Rio at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) hvy in Jan.
Red Dahlia 13-2 Held up, close up but under pressure 3 out, no extra after next, 5th of 7, 9l behind Misbehaviour at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Jan.
Arctic Glow 9-2 Mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Rosetown at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft in Jan, 12 ran.