Racecards
13:10 Warwick
TurfTV Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,899
- 2nd: £1,145
- 3rd: £572
- 4th: £286
- Form 9344-P2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Brendan Powell
led 2nd, mistake and headed 4 out, dropped to 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out, refused last
- Form 2/242-25
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd before 2 out, soon switched right, disputing close 2nd and every chance 2 out, hung left under pressure and no extra flat
- Form 95568-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer R Woollacott
- Jockey M G Nolan
took keen hold early, held up, headway tracking leading pair 2nd, led 4 out until 3 out, chased winner, every chance 2 out, ridden between last two, still every chance when not fluent last, no extra flat
- Form 333/44-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Mrs F Kehoe
- Jockey S P Jones
led until 2nd with leader, led again 3 out, joined 2 out, soon ridden, pressed last, ridden clear flat
- Form 21P/80
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey W T Kennedy
not fluent, chased leaders until dropped to rear after 2nd but in touch, not fluent and reminder 6th, jumped slowly 10th, outpaced 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Merchant Of Milan has never won and was beaten a long way when runner-up at Worcester so could have done with a drop in the ratings. Ronnie Lawson showed nothing in three starts over hurdles so it's a surprise he has a mark of 102 but his trainer is in outstanding form and he may prove better over fences than timber. Silvergrove has a similar profile though at least he's jumped fences between the flags as has De Kerry Man, who has a couple of decent runs to his credit. Coeur De Fou has plenty of experience over fences and won't mind the ground but a chance is taken on THE FLYING COLUMN. Ian Williams' charge has won between the flags and though well beaten over timber he comes here on a very lowly mark and should do better over fences.
Formwatch
Merchant Of Milan 9-4 (11-6) Tracked winner throughout, not fluent 13th, kept on same pace, no chance in clear 2nd from 5 out, 2nd of 4, 27l behind The Young Master (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
Coeur De Fou (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 29l behind Great Link (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jun.
Silvergrove 18-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 12, 41l behind Dream Deal (11-10) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
De Kerry Man (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, keen early, lost touch before 8th, well beaten 3 out, 5th of 10, 30l behind Come On Laurie (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
The Flying Column (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always behind, struggling 3rd, tailed off 2 out (usual 3 out), 11th of 12, well behind Desert Recluse (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Ronnie Lawson (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 6, 35l behind Brother Tedd (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.