Racecards
15:30 Wetherby
'national Festival Circus Is Here Today' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
Belter
13- Form 966/0P-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer S P Griffiths
- Jockey A C Coyle
held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form PP6-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss L C Siddall
- Jockey T Siddall
held up, weakened after 4 out
Fly Tipper
74- Form 96065-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer W Storey
- Jockey N Mulholland
mistakes, help up in touch, went 2nd after 4 out, weakened approaching next
- Form F-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
held up in touch, headway approaching 7th, led 2 out, stayed on from last
- Form 5-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey R McGrath
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
Song of Vala
19- Form P03-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, hit last, kept on, no impression
- Form 0567-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey M O'connell
made most, hit 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Stepastray
15- Form 0P4U1/P-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R E Barr
- Jockey P Kinsella
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 07P400-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 62
- Trainer P Spottiswood
- Jockey P McDonald
with leader, ridden and weakened after 4 out
Macchiato
13- Form 4P0P03-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer R E Barr
- Jockey P Kinsella
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
Wiljen (IRE)
70- Form 80-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer B S Rothwell
- Jockey P Aspell
held up in rear, ridden and lost pace approaching 4 out
Miss Nosey
33- Form P-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer Mrs E Slack
- Jockey M J McAlister
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Song Of Vala showed his best form over hurdles at Fontwell last time and a reproduction of his effort there should be enough for Charlie Mann's gelding, who is preferred to Guerilla and Dock Tower. The last mentioned has not progressed as much as may have been anticipated having started promising over hurdles earlier in the season but cannot be ruled out in a weak contest, while Something Silver ran with credit on his racecourse debut at Ayr but needs to improve. Sue Smith's Sparkling Taff has shown only a modicum of ability and a bigger threat is likely to come from Richard Guest's Guerilla, especially now that the yard is among the winners. Song Of Vala has an obvious chance on Fontwell form though and he gets the vote.
Formwatch
Guerilla (AUS) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway and raced wide 4 out, disputing lead when fell 4 out in race won by Emmasflora (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf, 14 ran.
Something Silver 66-1 (10-13) In rear, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 17, 24l behind More Likely (10-4) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Song of Vala 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Tech Eagle (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Sparkling Taff 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 38l behind Tous Chez (11-0) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Stepastray 3-1 (12-3) pulled up in race won by Londolozi Lad (12-0) at Stainton 3m ptp gd, 6 ran.
Macchiato 40-1 (10-0) In touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from next, no impression, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Emmasflora (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Miss Nosey 25-1 (10-0) Behind, reminders 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Emmasflora (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Dock Tower (IRE) 2-1fav (10-9) Led to 3rd, with leader, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Olival (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.