Racecards
13:25 Wetherby
Royal Pigeon Racing Association 'Hands And Heels' Amateur Riders' Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Form 66166
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey Miss S Hall
towards rear, mistake 2nd, tailed off when blundered 4 out
Finzi (IRE)
17- Form 00-535
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey Mr J Kington
led to 4th, remained close up, outpaced after 4 out
- Form 4-44453
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer L Lungo
- Jockey Mr M J McAlister
close up, led 4th, blundered and headed 7th, outpaced 4 out, rallied 3 out, led 2 out, kept on
- Form P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey Mr O Nelmes
in touch, pushed along approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened before next
- Form 05
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer P Hiatt
- Jockey Mr F Hutsby
keen early, headway and in touch 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, poor 6th when fell 3 out
Mickey Croke
25- Form 61-F3F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer C R Egerton
- Jockey Miss P Gundry
held up towards rear, headway 8th to track leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
- Form P0-P31U
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer D Stoddart
- Jockey Mr J Owen
tracked leaders, headway to join leaders 7th, every chance 4 out, weakening when blundered next
- Form 34-44F5
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J R Cornwall
- Jockey Mr A Sansome
in touch, dropped rear 6th, soon lost touch
- Form 6253-5
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
behind, tailed off from halfway
- Form P0-5404
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs B Thomson
- Jockey Reserve
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out, no impression on leaders
Sister Anna
20- Form 206-F5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer T D Walford
- Jockey Mr M Walford
tracked leaders, led 7th, blundered and headed 2 out, one pace under pressure
In depth
Verdict
A modest start to the Wetherby card can go to Sportsman, who edges a narrow vote over Quainton Hills, Mickey Croke and Sweet Auburn. The majority of the remainder do not look to be anything out of the ordinary and this is unlikely to be the strongest heat for each-way players to nick a bit of value. Therefore, it may pay to stick with the Mick Easterby-trained Sportsman, who improved steadily last season, despite not getting his head in front when it really mattered. The Easterby team are as shrewd as they come with runners in events of this type and the hint should be taken if the selection is given the thumbs up from the pre-race betting. Mickey Croke has a little to prove after failing to complete in two of his last three outings so the more experienced Quainton Hills could be the one to give Sportsman the most to do.