Racecards
18:30 Towcester
Roger Clarke 80th Birthday Open Hunters' Chase (Class 6)
- 2 Runners
- Distance: 3m 102y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £3,000 added
- Winner: £1,872
- 2nd: £580
- 3rd: £290
- 4th: £145
- Form UF/512-4
- Age 9
- Weight 12-6
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer M Bowen
- Jockey Mr James King
led sole rival until 2nd, led before 6th, pecked 9th, headed 11th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, easily
- Form 33614-7
- Age 13
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer Clive Price
- Jockey Mr Bradley Gibbs
tracked sole rival, led 2nd, headed before 6th, pecked 8th, led 11th, headed 4 out, ridden after next, beaten 2 out
- Form P325/14-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer Mrs K Smyly
- Jockey Mr D Maxwell
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
TONY STAR has to concede plenty of weight to his two rivals and will be grateful for the 7lb claim of his regular pilot. He sets the standard on the back of decent enough efforts behind the likes of Pearlysteps at Cheltenham, Impact Area and Penmore Mill on his last three starts and should find this company a far easier assignment. Oscar Delta finished in mid-division last time at the Cheltenham hunter chase night and is suggested as the danger as Many Stars has not been seen under Rules since late 2014, although he did return to action after a lengthy break by scoring between the flags.
Formwatch
Tony Star (FR) 9-1 (12-4) Soon towards rear, headway 4 out, went modest 4th after next, kept on same pace, never near leaders, 4th of 12, 25 3/4l behind Pearlysteps (12-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f (3) gd in Apr.
Oscar Delta (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Prominent, lost place from 11th, 7th of 14, 21 3/4l behind Cousin Pete (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (4) gd in Apr.
Many Stars (IRE) 8-1 (12-5) Prom til wknd aft 15, 4th of 6, 28l behind Thetalkinghorse (12-5) at Garthorpe 3m gd in Apr.