Racecards
15:10 Great Leighs
Loire Handicap (Class 3)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: AllWeather
- £10,500 added
- Form 112121
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer M Wigham
- Jockey S Whitworth
pulled hard, in touch on inner, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 433566
- Age 6
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer K A Ryan
- Jockey D J O'Donohoe
pulled hard, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 542/113-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 80
pulled hard, prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 3-32300
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer J R Boyle
- Jockey P Cosgrave
fly jump start, in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
- Form 86-2131
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer A J McCabe
- Jockey James Doyle
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, driven and responded well
- Form 25-1364
- Age 8
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer G C Bravery
- Jockey A Munro
hampered start, held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous
- Form 1-15610
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J-P Guillambert
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden 2f out, challenged winner inside final furlong, kept on but unable to quicken near finish
In depth
Verdict
The much improved Benlech is taken to land his sixth win of the year while both Honey Monster and Imprimis Tagula are worth noting in the market. The selection has gone up 24 pounds since the start of the year but still looked to be improving when winning nicely at Kempton back in March. He has had a little break since then but with only three pounds more to carry we feel he can win again before the handicapper finally gets a grip of him. Honey Monster runs with a six pound penalty after winning at Kempton last week so connections clearly feel they would rather take their chance now before the handicapper gets a chance to raise him. Imprimis Tagula improved last year as a three year old winning twice at Southwell. He caught the eye on his seasonal reappearance when third to Sakhee¿s Secret and another bold run can be expected. But for the winner we return to Benlech.
Formwatch
Benllech 6-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar beating Ajigolo (9-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Distinctly Game 7-2 (9-4) Led racing keenly, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Obe Gold (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcap (4) gf in May.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 25-1 (7-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 5l behind Sakhee's Secret (9-2) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Apr '07.
The Game 20-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, held up on inner, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 17l behind Bellomi (9-4) at Epsom 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Honey Monster (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, hard ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol beating Lieutenant Pigeon (9-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 4l behind Almaty Express (9-0) at Great Leighs 5f hcap (4) pol in May.
Yankee Storm 9-2 (9-8) Steadied start, always behind, last of 12, 7l behind First Trim (9-2) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf.