Racecards
15:40 Towcester
Bet With Barry R Johnson Mares' Only Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 0/56-221
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer S Gollings
- Jockey S Thomas
in touch, mistake 3rd, soon ridden and lost place, mistake 5th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
The Bar Maid
23- Form P202-12
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Mrs G Harvey
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
led to 7th, ridden to lead again approaching 2 out, stayed on gamely
- Form 20FP/6-3
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
in touch, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, kept on to take 2nd flat
Blow Me Down
173- Form 6P00P-4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer F Jordan
- Jockey L P Aspell
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 3/04-544
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer O Brennan
- Jockey Mr S G Carey
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out
Darcey Mae
16- Form P132-25
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Mrs H Bridges
- Jockey Miss Lucy Bridges
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 8th, weakened 3 out
- Form 3P/1-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer R Buckler
- Jockey C Llewellyn
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Golden Bay
15- Form 4210-3
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer J Geake
- Jockey B J Crowley
prominent, jumped slowly 6th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, not fluent last, no extra flat
- Form 00P0/P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
prominent to 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 6220-44
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
- Form P0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Miss Victoria Roberts
- Jockey Stephen Craine
behind, effort 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
The Bar Maid goes well here and can win this closing novices' hurdle, with Golden Bay and Freydis the other pair who can make the frame. The selection is again partnered by Tony McCoy, who made virtually all on her to win over course and distance on his penultimate start. Similar tactics are likely to be employed today, she has conditions in her favour and is still on a fair mark. Golden Bay receives weight from the selection and has nothing like her experience. However, Jonathan Geake's charge acts on the ground and will be fitter for her recent Plumpton spin. If she can reproduce some of her bumper form over hurdles then she can go close. Freydis is one in tremendous form and goes on the ground, so she does have positives. However, this drop back in trip is far from certain to suit her, and she may find it too tough, so we take The Bar Maid to return to winning ways.