Racecards
15:05 Navan (IRE)
Flower Hill Beginners Chase
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Soft/Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- €12,000 added
- Winner: €8,281
- 2nd: €1,920
- 3rd: €840
- 4th: €480
- Form 3123-43
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer M S Sandra Hughes
- Jockey B J Cooper
soon led, bumped 1st, joined 4th, headed from 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression and well beaten when left in lead at last, stayed on run-in
- Form 14-P50F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Mr D J Benson
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
- Form 3-17U90
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
raced in 5th early, 6th after 5th, a little slow 7th, mistake 4 out, soon no impression
- Form 0P6965-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer A L T Moore
- Jockey B M Cash
in rear and soon behind, jumped right, mistake 9th, completely tailed off
- Form 142/183-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey A E Lynch
raced in 4th early, a little keen, on terms 4th, led from 6th, went on travelling smoothly from 3 out, soon clear and well in command when fell last
- Form 72-49U3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer E U Hales
- Jockey R P McNamara
prominent, jumped left 1st and bumped rival, jumped left again and unseated rider 3rd
- Form 4-63430
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer M S Sandra Hughes
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
raced in 3rd early, mistake 4th, 5th after next, pushed along in moderate 4th approaching straight, not fluent 3 out and no impression, left 3rd from last and kept on run-in
- Form 22F423
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 120
raced in 6th early, 4th from 5th, closed 7th, slight mistake 9th, no impression when bad mistake 2 out, left 2nd and kept on same pace from last
Verdict
APACHE JACK (NAP) didn't run much over hurdles but proved himself an excellent staying novice with minor positions at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. He was having his first start since April when making his chasing bow on the latter track a fortnight ago and though only third he didn't weaken until the latter stages and will strip much fitter here. Smokey Joe Joe has much more experience having been running in handicaps though his best form so far has been over shorter trips. He had no chance against Don Cossack at Thurles last week but managed third place money when remounting after falling at the last. Stuart Crawford looks to have a smart prospect for chasing in Gilt Shadow, runner-up in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown in 2013 and a very promising hurdler last winter. He may just need this but is one to watch for the future. Tom Cooper's horses are back in form after a poor spell so Chute Hall might repay each-way support.
Formwatch
Apache Jack (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Prominent, slightly slow 8th, on terms 2 out, soon headed and pushed along, no impression approaching last, dropped to 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Jarry D'honneur (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase sft.
Capture The Drama (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) 6th when fell 1st, in a race won by Jarry D'honneur (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase sft, 8 ran.
Chute Hall (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression before 4 out, 12th of 18, 48l behind Lots Of Memories (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs in Dec.
Dan's Rolls (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always behind, slight mistake 2nd, trailing halfway, some modest late progress 2 out, never nearer, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Mozoltov (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f nov chs hvy in Mar.
Gilt Shadow (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Held up towards rear at sedate pace, improved from 5 out to soon track leaders, 2nd before 3 out where slight mistake, struggling when switched right before last where not fluent in 4th, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Sure Reef (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) in Jan '14.
Makethedifference (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, slightly impeded 1st, a little slow 3rd and slightly slow 4 out, chased leaders straight, no impression from 2 out, one pace jumped left last, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Urano (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f beg chase hvy.
Morney Wing (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Soon disputed lead, headed after 1st where bumped slightly, prominent, reminder after 6th, pushed along from 4 out, no extra straight, 15th of 24, 35l behind Peoples Park (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 in Nov.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 150-1 (11-3) Chased leader, 4th halfway, moderate 3rd 3 out, no impression and fell last, remounted to finish distant 3rd, 3rd of 4, well behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1).
Special Bar (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 8th, 4th 3 out, soon no extra, 9th of 13, well behind Ravished (10-11) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.