Racecards
14:40 Wetherby
Weatherbys Bank Towton Novices' Chase (Class A)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Form 131112
- Age 8
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey A Dobbin
in touch, reminders after 8th, soon behind, pulled after 4 out
- Form 4F-12F1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey J M Maguire
chased leader, ridden 9th, weakened when hit 4 out
- Form 23P-221
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R McGrath
towards rear, chased winner after 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next
- Form 6-431
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer D Forster
- Jockey D R Dennis
always behind, tailed off from 4 out
- Form 122-21F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
chased leaders, left in lead 8th, ridden clear from 2 out
- Form 3-21213
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey R Garritty
held up, good headway approaching 9th, ridden and weakened from 3 out
- Form 4-22341
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
led until fell 8th
In depth
Verdict
An excellent novices' chase can go to Simply Supreme ahead of Native Emperor, but there are a number of potential dangers in the line-up. The selection was impressive when scoring over course and distance last time; Silver Knight was third to leading Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase hope D'Argent at Warwick last time. Royal Emperor, formerly a very useful hurdler, fell in that race but had looked progressive over fences before that - if not exactly fully living up to his billing. Native Emperor was just denied by the very useful Lord Sam at Lingfield before scoring impressively at Startford. Bee And Nee got closer to D'Argent at Warwick when he met Alan King's gelding, while multiple winner Ballycassidy is very likeable but has to concede weight to the field. A smashing race in which jumping will be at a premium. As he has already been impressive here, Simply Supreme gets the vote.