Racecards
16:20 Wetherby
Jimmy & Jane Fitzgerald Memorial Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 05/60-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer J Wade
- Jockey B S Hughes
made all, clear from 3 out, readily
- Form 82-5331
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer R M Whitaker
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on from 2 out
- Form 1341P4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey D C Costello
tracked leader until ridden after 4 out, stayed on from next
- Form 61337
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey K Mercer
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, chased winner and hit last, no impression
Herbie (IRE)
214- Form 2-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey D F O'Regan
tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out
Star Beat
172- Form 6020-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey P Kinsella
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next
Sweep Home
10- Form 42/P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey T J O'Brien
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
- Form F564/
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs H O Graham
- Jockey D N Cullinane
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 730890-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing winner until outpaced from 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Atticus Boy can complete a hat-trick, with Airedale Lad, Herbie and Double Deputy all out to stop him. Atticus Boy has been in tremendous form of late, gaining back-to-back victories at Sedgefield, the latest coming on his first start for John Wade, having been bought out a seller previously. The six-year-old absolutely bolted up under today's pilot Brian Hughes last time, and should easily defy his penalty. Airedale Lad stayed on really strongly when scoring at Hexham, and he too makes the switch from selling grade. The extra trip will suit, and he looks one of the main dangers along with Herbie who was runner-up in a bumper here back in March, and who is sure to have been well schooled. Double Deputy is difficult to weigh up, as he possesses the ability to take this, but has let his supporters down of late. Atticus Boy in contrast could not line up in better heart and gets our vote.
Formwatch
Atticus Boy (USA) 7-1 (11-2) Keen early, made all, drew clear approaching last, eased towards finish, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf beating Gun Smith (10-12) by 21l, 11 ran.
Airedale Lad (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gf beating Red Sun (11-3) by 1l, 16 ran.
Double Deputy (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) In touch, headway 8th, ridden 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 11, 21l behind Frankie Figg (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gf.
Breaking Storm (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling 3rd, no danger after, 7th of 13, 38l behind Red Chairman (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Herbie (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led for 3f, chased leaders, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Star Beat 12-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, 12th of 15, 49l behind Georgian King (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Sweep Home 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, jumped left 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Gone To Lunch (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf, 13 ran.
Mi Fa Sol Aulmes (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 9l behind The Gleaner (10-8) at Kelso 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Mar '06.
Miss Molly Be Rude (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway on inside when not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened next, 10th of 14, 49l behind Picacho (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.