Racecards
16:30 Towcester
Epson Handicap Chase (Class F)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 73/62P6-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
prominent, left in lead 13th, clear approaching 2 out, easily
- Form 40-4F56
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
soon behind, fell 10th
- Form 4UUPP-P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer B N Pollock
- Jockey T Messenger
ran out, led until ran out 13
- Form 00-0595
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer B J Llewellyn
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up, hampered bend approaching 6th, headway and hampered 12th, ridden 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, soon no chance
- Form P44133
- Age 13
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 74
prominent, ridden after 3 out, one pace flat
- Form 4414-23
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer R Dickin
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
in touch, close 3rd when slipped bend and unseated rider approaching 12th
- Form 176444
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer D L Williams
- Jockey Miss L Horner
prominent, lost place approaching 6th, headway 13th, weakened approaching 2 out
Taksina
39- Form 335P-44
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer R H Buckler
- Jockey B Hitchcott
held up, headway 8th, hit 3 out, soon weakened
- Form PPP7-80
- Age 12
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer P Kelsall
- Jockey C Llewellyn
held up, hampered 10th, effort 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 735444
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Christian Williams
Withdrawn
In depth
Verdict
A number of questions remain unanswered by a number of these but the vote goes to Pangeran ahead of Never Awol, Sissinghurst Storm and Make It Easy. Pangeran is just two pounds above the mark from which he won at Fontwell in May, and this is his level, so he has to be respected in a modest handicap. Turning to the others and, a winner off 90 in 2002 and 2003, Rufius seems to have lost his way. Taksina has also regressed but now finds herself 14 pounds below last May's winning Newton Abbot mark. Make It Easy won at Fakenham in May and, even though he is now five pound higher in the ratings, is respected. Sissinghurst Storm's course and distance second in May from a five-pounds higher mark, certainly gives him claims if a repeat can be achieved, and the best of Cyindien's hurdling form gives him a chance, although his fencing efforts have yet to match it. Never Awol won from a three-pounds higher mark in this race last year and, of course, holds a big chance if getting back to that. Barnards Green is nine pounds below the mark from which he won at Taunton last October, but he is unproven at the trip, while Ashgreen's January Folkestone run gives him claims, but that's the only piece of form to date. Finally, Auditor won over two miles here from a five-pounds higher mark last November but is another to have regressed and be unproven at today's trip. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Pangeran.
Formwatch
Ashgreen 8-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Commanche Jim (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft in Mar.
Never Awol (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Led until after 2nd, lost place 5th, soon behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Good Heart (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Aug, 10 ran.
Killy Lass (IRE) 3-1fav (10-5) In touch, hit 11th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 25l behind Fearless Mel (11-5) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Aug.
Pangeran (USA) 16-1 (9-7) Held up, hit 9th and 12th, ridden 5 out, took 3rd 2 out, mistake last, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Mr Splodge (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Sept.
Sissinghurst Storm (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Prominent, jumped slowly 5th, weakened 12th, 3rd of 8, well behind Sir Cumference (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Make It Easy (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Prominent, led approaching 9th, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind Big Quick (11-0) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gd in Aug.
Taksina 10-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden in every chance approaching 3 out, kept on from next, 4th of 11, 13l behind Erins Lass (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd in Aug.
Cyindien (FR) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leader, led and jumped right from 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened, 4th of 5, 20l behind Southerndown (9-9) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.