Racecards
13:45 Wincanton
Happy Birthday Val Whitewick 'NH' Novices' Hurdle (Div 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- Form 1/P-08
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss G Browne
- Jockey M Foley
behind from 5th, pulled up after 7th
- Form F10PP6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
led until 6th, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, soon tailed off
- Form B-F3254
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey A P McCoy
in touch, headway 7th, ridden out and every chance 2 out, no extra flat
Debatable
83- Form 1-P0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Hawke
- Jockey A Honeyball
behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled before 3 out
- Form 290
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
tracked leaders, led after 6th, ridden and approaching last, kept on but no extra when headed flat
- Form 49/1-BP6
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
in touch, ridden after 6th, broke leg and unseated rider approaching 3 out
- Form 7/PP-P21
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer Mrs P Robeson
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
prominent until blundered and unseated rider 6th
- Form 433FP3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey R Thornton
held up, headway after 7th, chased leading pair and ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well to lead flat, ridden out
- Form 00-8796
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer A J Wilson
- Jockey W Marston
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Boddidley has been in consistent form this campaign and with Tony McCoy on board he does warrant plenty of respect, however we will take a chance with Cruising River, Shining Lights and Gordon Highlander may do best of the others. Henrietta Knight's six-year-old has only contested two hurdle events to date and has shown plenty of promise on both occasions. He was beaten just under two lengths by Bengo, before finishing fourth to Bowleaze in what looked a better contest than this. The slight drop in trip should be ideal and he looks the one to beat. Shining Lights ran well to finish third in handicap at Sandown last time, back in novice company he will be a threat to all. Meanwhile Gordon Highlander comes here in winning form having beaten Miss Merenda in great style over course and distance. The rest appear to have a bit find, so it won't be too difficult a task for Cruising River who is our confident selection.