Racecards
14:10 Towcester
Trade Connect Novices' Chase (Class E)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form 5212/02-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey B Fenton
led to 4th, stayed prominent, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten, fell 2 out
- Form 2/2111-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
tracked leader, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, hit last, hung right and headed flat, rallied to lead post
Inching Closer
229- Form 010/110-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
not fluent, held up, headway 7th, left 2nd 9th, ridden after 3 out, switched right approaching last, led flat, headed and no extra post
- Form P5FP61-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Mr C Studd
behind from 5th, tailed off and left 3rd 2 out
- Form 3F613-2
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
held up, pecked 9th, lost touch from 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 020F2-4
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
close up, with winner when fell 9th
In depth
Verdict
Inching Closer may be up to the task on his chase debut, with Another Mooose and Celestial Gold seen as main dangers. Celestial Gold has been ready to run for some time now and had a host of entries this week. Another Moose beat Historg over hurdles two years ago, but has had a light campaign since, with just two educational runs over fences. Highly rated by Emma Lavelle, he is expected to add to his trainer's tally this season. Jonjo O' Neill saddles both The Pennys Dropped and Inching Closer, with the latter the better of the pair over timber by a long way, having landed the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham under a big weight. He bled at Liverpool is ready now to make his mark over fences and will take all the beating here if fit enough. The remaining pair are readily discounted, so Inching Closer, an exciting prospect, should be followed, whatever he achieves today.