Racecards
19:05 Worcester
Ladbrokes At The Bullring, Birmingham Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,500 added
- Form 30041-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in last, headway after 9th, led on bit 2 out, very easily
- Form 635F-7
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D Burchell
- Jockey O McPhail
chase leaders, lost place approaching 8th, switched right before 9th and progress, soon ridden, one pace from 3 out, mistake last
- Form 4P-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer D P Keane
- Jockey T Scudamore
held up, headway 6th, bumped 7th, led and mistake 8th, headed after 9th, weakened after 3 out
- Form F32P/9-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A J Honeyball
- Jockey L Heard
held up, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, dismounted
The Doorman
441- Form R5/
- Age 11
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer L Corcoran
- Jockey H Ephgrave
took key hold, tracked leaders on outside, weakening when blundered 3 out
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey James Davies
held up, reminded after 6th, headway 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 340/64-6
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 95
held up, headway 3rd, led after 9th, headed 2 out, no chance of winner
- Form 3/22P7-7
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer R E Peacock
- Jockey S Durack
led until approaching 4th, led 5th, headed after 6th, regained lead when jump left 7th, headed next, weakened 9th
- Form P77P33-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer M S Wilesmith
- Jockey W Marston
prominent, led approaching 4th, headed 5th, led after 6th, headed before 7th, weakened next, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Longueville Manor, Fairlight Shadow and Devon Blue are the three that catch the eye here, with Longueville Manor taken to continue his winning form. Devon Blue is lightly raced and has shown some ability in bumpers and novice hurdles to date, but the overall balance of his form suggests that a place is the best he can hope for. Fairlight Shadow showed little on his first two starts before turning in a much improved effort at Uttoxeter last time. If he maintains that improvement he can play a part here. Longueville Manor has won his last two starts, and his Uttoxeter success was given a boost when the second scored next time. His form is a class above his rivals and Longueville Manor can complete the hat trick.
Formwatch
Longueville Manor (FR) 1-2fav (11-6) Held up, headway 9th, led last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd beating Kavatcha (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Clova Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 32l behind Longueville Manor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd.
Fairlight Shadow (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Hennessy (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Rising Account 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division, hit 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened, 9th of 17, 21l behind Nougat de L'Isle (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
The Doorman 11-2 (12-0) 5th of 11, well behind Off Broadway (12-0) at Bishops Court 3m ptp gd in Mar '06.
Wichenford Willy 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, 11th of 15, well behind Dave's Dream (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd.
Devon Blue (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Chased leader, hit 5th and next, ridden after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Celebrity Call (11-2) at Exeter 3m mdn hdl (4) gf.
Mrs White (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Went 2nd 4; fdd qckly aft 12; wl bhnd 15, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Tara Gale (11-0) at Bitterley 3m ptp gd in Apr.