Racecards
16:40 Brighton
Pertemps Development 'hands And Heels' Apprentice Handicap (Class 6)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 1f 209y
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £3,300 added
- Form 733324
- Age 7
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer W G M Turner
- Jockey Ross Atkinson
close up in 4th, chased leading pair from 2f out, no impression
Astrolibra
197- Form 893349-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer M H Tompkins
- Jockey Ashley Morgan
held up, steady headway on inside 2f out, soon chasing winner, took narrow lead inside final furlong, headed near finish
- Form 928/993
- Age 8
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 46
held up, always in rear
- Form 608820-
- Age 6
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 46
- Trainer Mrs A L M King
- Jockey Kylie Manser
tracked leaders, led 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied to regain lead near finish
- Form 5/970-86
- Age 6
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer J J Bridger
- Jockey Billy Cray
slowly away, reluctant, soon pushed along to chase leaders, weakened over 2f out
- Form 6/0580-4
- Age 6
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer Dr J R J Naylor
- Jockey Matt Cosham
led to 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Sayrianna
1245- Form 047000/
- Age 7
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer M D I Usher
- Jockey Sean Palmer
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
Verdict
Astrolibra has a solid chance in a race of this nature and gets the nod over Looks The Business and Tuscan Treaty, while a move for The Iron Giant would also be interesting. The last named cost 320,000gns but was brushed out of Ballydoyle with haste after showing nothing in two starts for Aidan O¿Brien in 2005. He does now finds himself at a level that truly matches his actual ability, so he is not without a chance of finally breaking his maiden in this grade. Tuscan Treaty is another that has been around the houses and comes here on the back of a fair effort last time out. Still, she is of very ordinary ability and, as she hasn¿t won a race on turf for five years, she is hardly the most inspiring option. Looks The Business plies his trade under both codes of racing and holds a dubious record of getting placed in modest company. He has little find to make his presence known and is respected. However, preference goes to Astrolibra, who handles this track well the last time she visited Brighton and, as she actually has a little scope for improvement, Mark Tompkins' charge looks the most interesting contender on show.
Formwatch
Looks The Business (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Soon pressed winner, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 4, 6l behind Nawamees (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Apr.
Astrolibra 11-1 (8-13) Always behind, never near leaders, 9th of 13, 5l behind Sekula Pata (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Tuscan Treaty 50-1 (8-4) Started slowly, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Aphrodisia (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Apr.
Chapter (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Dwelt, behind, some headway 3f out to over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 14l behind Harry The Hawk (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Love Angel (USA) 25-1 (7-11) Dwelt, pushed along to be in touch after 2f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f, last of 6, 16l behind Siena Star (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 100-1 (9-2) Chased winner, under pressure and lost place before halfway, some headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 9l behind Royal Dignitary (9-7) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs.
Sayrianna 20-1 (8-9) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 23l behind Beauty of Dreams (9-0) at Lingfield 1m banded stk (H5) pol in Dec '04.