Racecards
16:00 Towcester
gg.com Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Winner: £2,602
- 2nd: £764
- 3rd: £382
- 4th: £191
- Form 8/P47-P1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 107
tracked leader, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, not fluent next or 7th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
- Form 1/4861-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey A Thornton
led, ridden after 2 out, joined last, soon headed, stayed on, held towards finish
- Form 7F2-211
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer D W P Arbuthnot
- Jockey D A Jacob
held up in rear, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, not fluent 2 out, challenged last, ridden flat, ran on
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs Caroline Bailey
- Jockey T Messenger
in touch in mid-division, went 3rd 5th until next, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 4/3P46-7
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Mrs L Hill
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, 3rd after 3 out, no impression on front pair next, fell last
- Form F466-39
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey D Elsworth
in touch in mid-division, not fluent and dropped rear 5th, mistake next, stayed on approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, no chance with front pair
- Form 5
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M R Bosley
- Jockey Hadden Frost
held up towards rear, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
- Form 260-408
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Laurence Butler
- Jockey T J O'Brien
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, some progress after 3 out, no impression on leaders, left 4th when hampered last
In depth
Verdict
THE STRAWBERRY ONE absolutely loves it around here and it will take a very big effort to prevent her completing a track hat-trick. David Arbuthnot's mare could hardly have won more easily on her last visit and this opposition doesn't appear any stronger. Exiles Return gained a shock victory over two miles here but her victory owed more to the demise of her rivals than her own ability and she may have to settle for a place at best as winning bumper There And Then looked a progressive type when making all at Chepstow and looks more of a threat. First Smash was well supported at Fontwell last time but was impeded a couple of times and had no chance from a long way out.
Formwatch
Exiles Return (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Pulled very hard, held up, headway after 2nd, led after next, headed before 2 out, stayed well there in 3rd, quickened to lead again flat, won going away, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf beating Management (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
There And Then 25-1 (11-0) Led until after 4th and again before 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Chepstow 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Varkala (10-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
The Strawberry One 11-8 (10-12) Jumped well, held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led on inside before 2 out, soon quickened clear, very easily, won at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Regal Reign (10-12) by 36l, 6 ran.
Big Ed Kayf Tara gelding out of Edina.
First Smash (GER) 3-1fav (11-3) Held up in touch, went 2nd 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 49l behind Celticello (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Halucha (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear on outside, mistake 5th, went 6th after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Ely Brown (10-8) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Lennie Briscoe (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold early, held up towards rear, behind after 6th, tailed off, 5th of 9, 45l behind Street Dance (11-5) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Watchmetail (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, headed after halfway, lost place from 5f out, soon no impression, 8th of 13, 24l behind Sallyanka (11-4) at Wexford 2m N H flat gf.