Racecards
15:25 Towcester
Star Sports Daily Specials Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 34y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £8,400 added
- Winner: £5,458
- 2nd: £1,603
- 3rd: £801
- 4th: £401
Dr Des (IRE)
41- Form 3-42122
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer Henry Oliver
- Jockey James Davies
made all, clear before 4 out, ridden before last, held on well
- Form 8313-UP
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer D L Williams
- Jockey Shane Quinlan
in rear, soon pushed along, never dangerous
- Form 76
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Charlie Deutsch
mid-division, lost place from 6th
- Form 09
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
tracked winner until 4 out, weakened before 3 out
- Form 8
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
towards rear, headway before 6 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on same pace
- Form F6-7P0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
prominent, weakened from 4 out, pulled up
Poyntzpass (IRE)
163- Form 1-2P353
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer R C Harper
- Jockey T Dowling
towards rear, headway before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
- Form 32-35
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
prominent, went 2nd 4 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer Mrs L Hill
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
towards rear, struggling before 6th, pulled up
In depth
Verdict
DR DES is hard to oppose in this company, despite a penalty, following a fine run behind Cheltenham-bound Claimantakinforgan in a Grade 2 at Ascot. That was a second strong effort at the Berkshire track having won earlier at Stratford. Voie Dans Voie has hinted at ability in a couple of starts under Rules and could be the one for forecast-backers as Babytaggle is now blinkered after failing to complete in two runs since joining Dai Williams. Du Destin doesn’t look to be one of his yard’s hottest prospects.
Formwatch
Dr Des (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Pushed along at times, tracked leader, hit 2nd, led well before 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed last, not pace of winner run-in, kept on well for clear 2nd, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Claimantakinforgan (11-0) at Ascot 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Babytaggle (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Unruly before start, led until before omitted 3 out, weakened rapidly, behind and pulled up before next, at Exeter 2m 7f (4) sft in Dec.
Cuban Pete (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leading pair until 4th, soon well off the pace in 4th, weakened 4 out, lost remote 4th before next, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Scorpion Sid (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Du Destin (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Tommy Rapper (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Hier Encore (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Held up and behind, towards rear when hit 6th, never involved, 8th of 13, 37 3/4l behind Jaisalmer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Mega Mind (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, struggling before 4 out, 11th of 13, 32 1/2l behind Zalvados (11-5) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Poyntzpass (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked winner from 2nd, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and no chance with clear pair, tailed off, 3rd of 6, dist behind Gustave Mahler (11-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gs in Aug.
Voie Dans Voie (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along and no impression before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Mr Whipped (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Judge Judy (IRE) Oscar M out of The Bar Maid.