Racecards
16:50 Wincanton
Mere Maiden Hurdle (Class D)
- 17 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Dr J Naylor
- Jockey A Thornton
held up, never better than mid-division, tailed off
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
prominent, smooth headway to lead before 2 out, headed after 2nd, j.rt last, hrd ridden and no extra towards finish
Idiome (FR)
279- Form 43-P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Mrs L Taylor
- Jockey G Tormey
chased leader, headway 3 out until one-paced from last
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
mid-division, weakened quickly 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Widger
held up, progress 3 out, soon beaten
Marble Arch
26- Form 534223
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey T Jenks
held up, headway before 2 out, one-paced
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
mid-division, headway 3 out, led before last, ran on well
Black Secret
825- Form 12/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
mid-division until weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
chased leader until weakened 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Astronaut
15- Form 4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer T Casey
- Jockey D Gallagher
slowly away, pulled up before 1st
Il Capitano
51- Form 2
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey J Tizzard
chased leader until weakened before 2 out
- Form 4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
mid-division until weakened quickly from 3 out
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
prominent until weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 22
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
led, headed before 2 out, one-paced afterwards
In depth
Formwatch
Avanti Best at around 8 furlongs on the Flat; hard to get too excited about his chances.
Dark Shell (IRE) Has Cheltenham aspirations; formerly with Sir Michael Stoute and could be an exciting recruit.
Idiome (FR) French import but with seemingly less to recommend him than others from there.
King's Travel (FR) Very decent form on Flat in France; has Cheltenham entries.
Mantusis (IRE) Did well on the Flat for Peter Harris; another with Cheltenham aspirations.
Marble Arch Has more experience than most in the field but it's unlikely that his level of form will be good enough here.
Solar Dove Makes hurdling debut and others make more appeal.
Swan Knight (USA) Has possibilities on handicap form at around ten furlongs on Flat, especially with the Pipe team in such good order; he, also, is entered at Cheltenham.
Teller of Tales It wil be interesting to see how this former French, middle-distance/stayer shapes up here but he will probably need the experience today.
Black Secret Long absence after bumper runs; entered at Cheltenham but hard to fancy today.
Tragic Lady Miler on the Flat; hard to fancy today.
Astronaut Stayed 12 furlongs on the flat; not too much promise on hurdling debut but could improve in time.
Il Capitano Highly tried on the Flat last season; best trip is around 12 furlongs; the bare form of his hurdles debut is not exceptional.
Jimal Will probably benefit from today's outing.
Joyeux Royal (FR) No real promise on his British debut; entered in the Elite Racing Club Hurdle but needs to improve on what he's shown so far.
Sir Hamelin (IRE) won a claimer in France when blinkered and wears a visor today; all Pipe runners have to be respected at present.
Miss Greinton (GER) Makes up the third of the Pipe runners and would seem to have the least chance of them.
Sharakapour (IRE) Hasn't quite lived up to his billing yet; fair form thus far; maybe didn't stay last time.