Racecards
14:40 Hereford
Classic Hits Amateur Riders' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Heavy (Soft in place)
- Surface: Turf
- £4,500 added

- Form 434-359
- Age 4
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer Miss K Marks
- Jockey Mr William Biddick
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out

- Form U753-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer C Roberts
- Jockey Mr J E Tudor
in touch, ridden after 4th weakened quickly next

- Form PP/0675
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Mr W Telfer
held up rear, headway 3rd, with leader when fell 4 out

- Form U4-5140
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Mr D England
led, headed 3 out, weakened

- Form 66-6554
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 87
- Trainer Mrs D A Hamer
- Jockey Mr R Woollacott
in touch, hampered and lost pace 3rd, fell next

- Form 943-275
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer C J Down
- Jockey Mr D Burton
held up, headway 4th, lost place next, steady headway again to lead after 3 out, ridden clear last

- Form 3P77F-B
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer S M Jacobs
- Jockey Miss Isabel Tompsett
keen in rear, mistake 3rd, lost touch 4th
- Form 32922
- Age 3
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer M Sheppard
- Jockey Mr L R Payter
held up rear, ridden and headway 5th, led 3 out, headed soon after, weakened after 2 out

Overfields
19- Form 746-0P9
- Age 6
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer G J Smith
- Jockey Mr C Hughes
tracked leaders, stumbled and rider lost irons 3rd, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
In depth
Verdict
Hardybuck is the tentative choice in a wide open contest, Brown Fox and Ryhope Chief look to be the best alternatives. The selection is not the most straightforward of horses but did manage a victory at Market Rasen in October. His jumping let him down on his next two runs, but if he manages to make no mistakes today he should be there or thereabouts. Brown Fox has also disappointed on her last two outings, but has strong claims on her running behind Long Road at Wincanton in the summer. Ryhope Chief has been knocking on the door all season and although he may need to drop a few pounds before winning , he should still make his presence felt this afternoon. Spence Appeal is another to consider for each-way purposes, but our idea of the winner is Hardybuck.
Formwatch
Monash Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 31l behind Orion Express (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Spence Appeal (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Led, hit 1st, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Palace Walk (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) frm in Oct '05.
Maguire (GER) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 16, 6l behind Tashkandi (11-12) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs.
Hardybuck (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Chased leader, reminders and weakened from 4th, 10th of 14, well behind San Antonio (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Antigiotto (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 9, 32l behind Island Light (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Brown Fox (FR) 15-2 (10-6) Prominent and pulled hard, led 4th to before 5th, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 21l behind Compton Star (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Glenkill (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Led approaching 3rd to 5th, disputing 5th when brought down 3 out in race won by Blackbriery Thyne (10-10) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.
Ryhope Chief (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Tracked winner, ridden after 6th, oupaced 2 out, stayed on to regain 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Ever Special (11-3) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft.
Overfields 125-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Zonic Boom (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.