Racecards
15:05 Folkestone
Stay In To Win At Ladbrokes Selling Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft (Hurdle - Soft)
- Surface: Turf
- £3,000 added
- Form 359-P62
- Age 11
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer T M Jones
- Jockey A Thornton
tracked leader, keen hold, led 3rd, headed 7th, weakened before 2 out, virtually pulled up flat
- Form 45550P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 78
tracked leaders, lost place after 6th, soon tailed off, virtually pulled up flat
- Form 56526-3
- Age 9
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer P Butler
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
led until 3rd, mistake next, remained prominent, hit 3 out, ridden to challenge next, soon weakened
- Form 748P-32
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer Mrs E Langley
- Jockey James Davies
in touch, led 7th, pushed clear approaching last, stayed on well
- Form 31/6778-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer J A Geake
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up towards rear, under pressure before 7th, soon beaten
Beauchamp Twist
254- Form 5/0B505-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer M R Hoad
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up towards rear, headway 6th, under pressure 8th, weakened 2 out
- Form 98P-635
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer M J Gingell
- Jockey Miss Carey Williamson
behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
Verdict
The application of first time cheek pieces can help Wild Ground land this poor contest, with Madison Avenue and Wondersobright the dangers. Wild Ground stayed on well enough when a beaten favourite at Fontwell last time and this extra couple of furlongs is a positive. She handles cut in the ground well enough and the cheek pieces can just help to galvanise her in the right way and break her duck. Madison Avenue caught a tartar in Double Magnum here last time in handicap company and trip and ground will suit, so with just 6lb to concede to the selection he is respected. Wondersobright has been knocking on the door and handles juice in the ground, but he may need a drop before winning. Breezer would be of more interest if his yard were firing in the winners, but he is probably best watched and in a race not to dwell on for long Wild Ground gets the vote.
Formwatch
Madison Avenue (GER) 10-1 (9-11) Prominent until ridden and lost place before 7th, no chance after, 2nd of 6, 23l behind Double Magnum (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Led 2nd, headed 13th, blundered next, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Elsie's Pride (11-4) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Wondersobright (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Led, driven and joined last, headed close home, no extra, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Equilibria (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Dec.
Wild Ground (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Kappelhoff (9-13) at Fontwell 2m 4f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Dec.
Breezer 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened after 6th, 8th of 15, well behind Miss Rideamight (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Apr.
Beauchamp Twist 8-1 (11-3) Raced in 6th, ridden after 5th, plugged on at one pace from 4 out, 5th of 9, 29l behind Westfield Dancer (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Booster Divin (FR) 8-1 (9-9) Keen, in touch, ridden, mistake 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 16, 18l behind Brilliant (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Dec.