Racecards
14:25 Warwick
Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £55,000 added
- Winner: £31,322
- 2nd: £11,754
- 3rd: £5,885
- 4th: £2,932
- Form 21-41
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer T Lacey
- Jockey Stan Sheppard
held up towards rear on outside, headway before 7th, challenged 3 out, bumped before mistake 2 out, no impression on winner flat
Givega (FR)
19- Form 1-11
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, soon beaten, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 11-211
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, in touch when not much room and stumbled just after 7th, not much room and squeezed through to challenge 2 out, soon led, clear flat
- Form 221-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Lorcan Williams
chased leader, led 4 out, pressed 3 out, bumped and headed 2 out, not fluent last, no impression on winner flat, no extra
Mexico (GER)
34- Form 41/4-321
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer S Edmunds
- Jockey C Gethings
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, mistake and weakened 3 out
Moon Hunter
16- Form 21-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
in rear, pushed along after 4th, struggling 6th, behind from next, pulled up after 3 out
- Form 342-131
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey D R Fox
raced keenly, led, mistake 7th, headed 4 out, weakened next
In depth
Verdict
No seven-year-old has won this since 2006 but Ginny's Destiny has the highest rating of these and has nothing to fear from Mexico on course and distance running in November while Givega is 2-2 over hurdles and will relish this step up in distance. KNOWSLEY ROAD’s only defeat under Rules to date came on heavy going but he’s been aimed at this for a while and can make it 3-3 over timber ahead of fast-improving pair Grey Dawning, aiming to give the Skelton yard a third victory in this in nine years, and Moon Hunter. The Scottish raider Snake Roll is improving and shouldn't be underestimated.
Formwatch
Ginny's Destiny (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Midfield, ridden to lead 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Warwick 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov beating Mexico (11-0) by 8 1/2l, 11 ran.
Givega (FR) 4-9fav (11-7) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, readily asserted run-in, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Dec beating Rambo T (11-0) by 5l, 13 ran.
Grey Dawning (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up off the pace towards rear, closer in mid-division 6th, tracked leaders going well 4 out, went 2nd turning in, led before hit 2 out, joined when bumped and carried 2nd right run-in, stayed on to assert inside final 100 yards, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Bourbali (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Knowsley Road (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Made all, not fluent 3 out, ridden and hung left before 2 out, faced challenge and edged left on run to last, soon ridden, good jump final flight and asserted run-in, ran on strongly and won going away, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec beating Future Investment (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mexico (GER) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader 3rd, led after 4th, hit 3 out, ridden and came clear between last two, stayed on strongly, won at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Dec beating Soldier Of Destiny (11-0) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
Moon Hunter 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along and chased leader approaching last, ridden and stayed on strongly to lead 110 yards out on run-in, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec beating Theatre Man (11-6) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Snake Roll (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Made all, clear 5th, hit 3 out, unchallenged(hurdle after winning post omitted), won at Newcastle 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec beating Vandemere (11-0) by 14l, 11 ran.