Racecards
13:25 Warwick
Totescoop6 Novices' Chase (Class 2)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £20,000 added
- Form 300-F21
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey P Hide
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, led 2 out, driven clear flat
- Form 224-81F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey D A Jacob
in rear, headway when jumped slowly 13th, driven approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 11P5/6F-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up, mistake 2nd, headway after 11th, led 13th, headed just after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 264/05-2
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer John R Upson
- Jockey C Poste
led to 5th, remained prominent, ridden approaching 12th, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 211-273
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
always prominent, jumped slowly 2nd, reminder after 10th, led 12th to 13th, led again just after 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat
- Form 644562
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Dr P Pritchard
- Jockey O Dayman
held up, raced keenly, jumped slowly 1st, headway 3rd, led 5th, headed when jumped slowly 12th, soon weakened, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Old Benny should be able to open his account over fences here at the expense of Verasi and The Risky Viking. Old Benny was beaten just over six lengths by Verasi on his chase bow in a Grade 2 contest at Lingfield but can make the most of an 8lb swing in the weights. Well regarded by his yard, this dour stayer will relish these conditions and can take this before going on to better things. Verasi already promises to make up into a better chaser than hurdler and his latest success, his first over 3 miles, gives connections many more options. His chance must be respected but whether he's good enough to give weight and a beating to some useful rivals must be doubtful. Be Be King was talented at his best but was sold cheaply out of Paul Nicholls's yard last month and is probably best watched but The Risky Viking isn't dismissed. He has something to find at the weights but has more to offer and will relish this test. He could go well but Old Benny appeals as the likelier winner.
Formwatch
Verasi 11-2 (11-1) Held up, headway after 4 out, hit last, ran on under pressure to lead close home, won at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Dec beating Labelthou (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) In rear when fell at the 10th in race won by Ironside (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 11 ran.
Be Be King (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Prominent, headway, chased leaders 4 out, going well, every chance when fell 3 out fell in race won by Rowlands Dream (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) In touch, led 14th to 16th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, left close 2nd when hampered last, not recover, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Beat The Boys (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Old Benny 7-2 (11-1) In touch, reminders 2nd, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Verasi (11-1) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Predicament 12-1 (10-2) Behind, lost touch 8th, soon tailed off, 2nd of 5, 27l behind Something Wells (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.