Racecards
14:25 Towcester
European Breeders Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class E)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Form 1R-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
always behind, mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Burning Gold
208- Form P3-P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs S Williams
- Jockey A Honeyball
always behind, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Calvic (IRE)
13- Form B66
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Paul Moloney
held up in rear, smooth headway 7th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
- Form 5-00
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Smith
- Jockey James Davies
in touch until 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 00-3
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer D R Gandolfo
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
mid-division, driven and weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Harrycone Lewis
210- Form 60-0
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs P Sly
- Jockey W A Worthington
in touch, mistake 5th, weakened before 3 out
Indian Chase
24- Form 0023P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Dr J Naylor
- Jockey T Best
always behind, mistake 4th, reluctant and mistake 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 22-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C Bealby
- Jockey Mr S Morris
mid-division, mistake 1st, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 343-4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened before next
- Form P5P20-5
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
tracked leaders, led narrowly 6th, mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, and weakend
- Form 61/5-2
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Mackie
- Jockey B J Crowley
keen, led to 6th, still every chance 3 out, one pace and held before last
- Form 4-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
tracked leaders until mistake 7th, behind when mistake next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
This doesn't look as competitive as the first division and while both Station Island and Koquelicot are respected this can go to Ken'Tucky, who will find this stiffer test much more to his liking having found two-miles an insufficient test to date.Nicky Henderson's five-year-old didn't make his racecourse debut until January, but quickly showed he has his fair share of ability when close up in three bumpers. He wasn't disgraced on his hurdling debut behind the promising Thesis, over an inadequate trip and this stiffer test here can prove right up his street. John Mackie has his team in good order and Station Island looks sure to put up a bold show. He faced a stiff task on his hurdling debut where he was flattered to finish so close to the well-regarded Fair Prospect, but he did have the 98 rated Little Big Horse back in third. He can only have improved with that experience under his belt and is certainly one to keep an eye on. Koquelicot didn't cut much ice over fences in France, but is from a powerful stable and is almost certainly capable of better than he has shown so far. Of the others Couldn't Be Far should be capable of improvement, now he steps up in trip, but it will be a surprise if there is anything good enough to topple Ken'Tucky now he gets a stiffer test.