Racecards
14:50 Wincanton
Connaught Handicap Chase (Class 3)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £17,000 added
- Form 8/F-42UU
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
led, ridden 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon headed, no extra from 2 out
- Form F22U-31
- Age 10
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in touch, hampered and lost action and pulled up after 13th
- Form 88-3232
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer J A Geake
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
chased leaders, mistake 4th, ridden behind leader 3 out, led after 3 out, driven clear when mistake last, ran on
- Form 1P-P21P
- Age 13
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer Mrs L Hill
- Jockey Mr J E Tudor
prominent, chased leader 4th, blundered 11th, soon weakened
- Form 06472U
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up towards rear, jumped right 3rd and 4th, jumped badly right, hampered and unseated rider 13th
- Form 32U313
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey W T Kennedy
held up in mid-division, pecked 8th, headway 12th, held in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
- Form 642823
- Age 7
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer S A Brookshaw
- Jockey T Siddall
held up towards rear, mistakes 5th, 12th and 13th, weakened approaching 14th
- Form 3-61712
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Black Hills gets a tentative vote as a sporting choice in a tricky race; Supreme Catch and Alphabetical are forwarded as the main dangers, while William Butler has bits and pieces of form that suggest he can go well for each-way backers. The last named is lightly weighted and, having shown improvement of late, he rates as good value to nick a place. Alphabetical won over course and distance last month and appears to have run into form. He has a 7lb higher mark to contend with but looks reliable enough to go close in this company. As does Supreme Catch, who also won with a bit in hand when he was last seen out. Henrietta Knight's charge doesn't stand much racing but, as he goes well fresh, it will be noteworthy if he is a popular choice in the betting. However, the vote goes to Black Hills, who fully deserves a change of fortune after posting a series of good performances. The Jonathon Geake-trained gelding has held his own in good company and, as he has very little improvement to find, he is a solid betting proposition to finally get off the mark over fences today.
Formwatch
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 11-4fav (10-11) In touch when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Calatagan (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Supreme Catch (IRE) 11-8fav (10-13) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3rd, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Wicked Nice Fella (10-3) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Black Hills 16-1 (10-13) In touch, mistake 7th, chased winner soon after 4 out, no impression between last 2, 2nd of 11, 14l behind Oedipe (10-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Mr Splodge 11-2 (10-13) With leader, led 6th to 7th, weakening when hit 10th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Mokum (10-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Four Schools (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) In touch, headway 9th, led next, travelling well when went right and unseated rider in race won by Fast Forward (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Obelix De Longechaux (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 9th, pecked badly 4 out, rallied and stayed on from 2 out, not reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Alphabetical (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
William Butler (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, mistake 7th, headway 9th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Dictum (11-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy.
Alphabetical (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) In touch, headway to lead l7th, quickened 3 out, jumped left 2 out, pushed clear flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec beating Englishtown (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Saucy Night 16-1 (11-5) Led to 7th, chased leader, ridden 4 out, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Alphabetical (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
He's The Biz (FR) 4-1 (10-8) Mid-division, took closer order after 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Another Joker (11-11) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.