Racecards
14:00 Uttoxeter
Weatherbys Bank Novices' Chase (Class E)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f
- Going: Good to Firm (Watered)
- Form 5013-F1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey A Dobbin
led to 15th, ridden and outpaced next, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat
Punchy (IRE)
18- Form 6/P11P5
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
keen, tracked leader, led 15, clear after next, ridden approaching last, all out
- Form 11132R
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
tracked leaders, ridden 14th, 5 lengths 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 16th
Cyanara
10- Form 5FP526
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey J Mogford
always in rear, tailed off from 12th, left poor 3rd 16th
In depth
Verdict
Benrajah gets the nod here over Punchy. The selection won well over fences at Kelso last time after having fallen on his chasing debut. The going and trip will present no problem and he might be able to make his experience pay. Punchy represents the Pipe-McCoy partnership and is making his chasing debut. He's a four-time winner over hurdles, but never over a trip this far, although he was a higher-rated hurdler than the selection. So was Reasonable Reserve, so you have to give him a chance on that basis. He showed some promise on his chasing debut but then ran out over hurdles on his next outing. With Cyanara having cut little ice in eight chase attempted, the road leads back to Benrajah, who gets our vote.