Racecards
13:40 Wetherby
Bet365.com Novices' Chase (Class 3)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £7,750 added
- Winner: £5,041
- 2nd: £1,480
- 3rd: £740
- 4th: £370
- Form 2/2223-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey B S Hughes
led until 1st, prominent, jumped right and bumped 7th, led after 9th, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out, mistake last
- Form 142P-14
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Jimmy Derham
took keen hold, tracked leaders, last after 4th, not fluent next, lost touch after 9th, tailed off
- Form 3/30-PP2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Salmon
- Jockey David England
took keen hold, jumped left 2nd, led 4th until after 9th, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off
- Form 7/06521-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey G Lee
held up, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, not fluent 9th, soon closed on leaders, led 3 out, driven and stayed on well flat
Osric (IRE)
149- Form 5623-11
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
led 1st, hit next, headed 3rd, led 4 out, headed 3 out, no extra flat
- Form 31522F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Just six to post for the opener and OSRIC is likely to be popular. Nicky Henderson hasn't bothered to hang around over hurdles having won a maiden and a novice event and if he handles the drop back to two miles, he will be a difficult nut to crack. Knockavilla won readily at Sedgefield against modest opposition and takes an effective step up in class. Quell The Storm makes a debut for Milton Harris having left Paul Nicholls. Blacktoft is likely to front run though can make errors. Gilbarry has a bit to prove on hurdles form though should have few issues in relation to the going.
Formwatch
Knockavilla (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Led until after 1st, chased leader, led again 5th, in command from 3 out, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Apr beating Dontpaytheferryman (10-12) by 4l, 9 ran.
Quell The Storm (FR) 15-8fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, not fluent 6th, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs in Sep.
Alaskan Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Keen early, held up 3rd and last, lost touch 4 out, left remote 2nd and sole rival next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, well behind Medermit (11-2) at Aintree 2m nov chs (3) gs.
Gilbarry (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden approaching and mistake next, stayed on well from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Kellystown Lad (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Osric (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Held up, tracked leading pair from 3rd, went 2nd after 5th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Calon Crwbin (11-5) by 14l, 6 ran.
Blacktoft (USA) 10-3 (11-10) Chased leader, fell 5th, in a race won by Mam Ratagan (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) gf, 4 ran.