Racecards
14:45 Towcester
Northants 96 Selling Handicap Hurdle (Class G)
- 19 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft, Heavy in places
Atalya
3- Form 3-PP050
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer S Lewis
- Jockey Gary Richards
held up, headway 4th, weakening when mistake 2 out, tailed off
- Form 00P00R
- Age 12
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey Mr O Dayman
held up, headway after 4th, weakened after 2 out, left 4th last
- Form 4-44151
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
always behind, tailed off
Red Raja
286- Form 6/P30-FP
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss Victoria Roberts
- Jockey Stephen Craine
prominent, mistake 3rd, weakened next, tailed off
- Form P620-06
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey W Marston
chased leaders, led 4th, clear 2 out, hard ridden and headed approaching last, weakened quickly
- Form 3/P-PP0P
- Age 12
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer R Lee
- Jockey A O'keeffe
led to 3rd, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
The Teuchter
53- Form 06-622P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer N Dunger
- Jockey Mr T J Malone
behind, tailed off from 2nd
- Form 005020
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C Gray
- Jockey A Honeyball
prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
Knockrigg (IRE)
264- Form 22552-0
- Age 10
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey J Mogford
mid-division, headway 4th, joined winner approaching last, every chance flat, not quicken
La Marette
16- Form 13-0044
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer R Hodges
- Jockey Mr James White
in touch, headway 4th, led approaching last, joined and jumped left last, stayed on well
- Form 6-3U
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer P D Evans
- Jockey Antony Evans
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
Kittylee
72- Form 52560
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer M Buckley
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
Bold Hunter
54- Form P5-P020
- Age 10
- Weight 10-4
held up, some headway approaching 4th, never dangerous
Yellow Sky
44- Form 000-P0
- Age 6
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer K Wingrove
- Jockey Mr D Mansell
slowly away, tailed off approaching 2nd, pulled up before last
Bob's Sherie
26- Form F05
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer W Brisbourne
- Jockey S Durack
mid-division, weakened 4th, tailed off and pulled up before last
- Form P-P0P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
held up, headway after 4th, 4th and no chance with leaders when fell last
In depth
Verdict
A tough handicap for the grade in which not too many can be ruled out. However, Lightning Star is well suited by a slog through heavy ground and the Garry Moore-trained nine-year-old is given a slender vote of preference before Dunraven, Reflex Blue and Sheer Guts, who head the long list of dangers. The Teucher also has some fair form to his name and is worth considering for a place at least if there are signs of confidence from the betting ring about him today. However, this is Lightning Star's grade and he has a more convincing profile for what will be a real test in the predicted ground. The son of El Gran Senor has shaped up well in tougher races than this of late and comes here with a live chance if he runs anywhere near his best. The gelding is a previous course and distance winner who will be very hard to get past when turn to come up the hill. Dunraven appeals as the biggest threat as he too appreciates some give underfoot in his races, but it remains to be seen if he has the same relish for a battle that Lightning Star possesses and he may be set for a minor role again today.