Racecards
15:25 Newbury
RR Elite 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 118y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £7,000 added
- Winner: £4,549
- 2nd: £1,336
- 3rd: £668
- 4th: £334
Emitom (IRE)
45- Form 1-111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey G Sheehan
raced keenly, tracked leaders, mistake 6th, 3rd travelling well 3 out, 2nd soon after, led 2 out, strongly pressed when narrowly headed last, hung left under pressure run-in, led again towards finish
- Form 14-116
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd before the last, weakened into 4th run-in
- Form 1/14-4
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
raced keenly, led until approaching 4th, chased leader until approaching 4 out, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
Interconnected
376- Form F1-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey James Bowen
raced keenly, held up tracking leaders, outpaced 3 out, good headway on outside going well before 2 out, went 2nd before led narrowly last, ran green run-in, headed towards finish
- Form 343-454
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey H Cobden
tracked leader, led approaching 4th until 4 out, chased leader until soon after next, chased leaders, weakened and hit 2 out
- Form 22-37
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B Pauling
- Jockey David Bass
raced keenly, held up, plugging on in 7th when mistake 2 out, never involved
Levasseur
63- Form 22
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B I Case
- Jockey Kielan Woods
held up, outpaced and struggling in rear after 4 out, tailed off
- Form 2107/56
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey N D Fehily
raced wide and keen, held up in last trio, some headway on outside after 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 10-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey J McGrath
held up in last pair, pushed along in 6th and hit 3 out, kept on into 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo
In depth
Verdict
Nicky Henderson has a trio of runners in this but jockey bookings suggest Gallahers Cross is the stable pick ahead of Interconnected and Storm Of Intrigue. The former was very well backed at Ascot on his hurdling debut and shouldn’t be long in recouping losses. But there are a couple of smart previous winners in this who may fight out the finish. EMITOM is well regarded and so far unbeaten and he may have more scope than Tidal Flow, who was sent off favourite for a Grade 2 at Warwick in January off the back of a gutsy win over this course and distance earlier but disappointed and may be ready for a step up in trip.
Formwatch
Emitom (IRE) 1-8fav (11-8) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led before 2 out, drew clear after last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Megalodon (11-2) by 5l, 14 ran.
Tidal Flow 11-10fav (11-0) Held up, closed before 6th, niggled along next, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, last of 6, 35 3/4l behind Beakstown (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) gd in Jan.
Gallahers Cross (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden and one pace final 2f, never on terms, 4th of 12, 18l behind Ask Dillon (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) sft in Dec.
Interconnected 5-4fav (10-7) A.p; led 3 out; easy, won at Larkhill 3m mdn gd in Feb beating Loodeen (12-0) by 20l, 11 ran.
Kauto The King (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, plugged on in 4th on long run before next where went left, 4th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Reserve Tank (11-2) at Sandown 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Legal Eyes (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 9, 35l behind Admiral Barratry (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Levasseur 9-4jfav (11-7) Hdwy 10; went 2nd aft 3 out; ev ch last; kpt on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Tiger's Song (11-7) at Chaddesley Corbett 2m 4f mdn gd in Dec.
Pride Of Lecale 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along before 3 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 18, 28 1/4l behind Greaneteen (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Storm Of Intrigue (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders on outside, pushed along after 3 out, weakened soon after, 12th of 15, 23 1/4l behind Kildisart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gs in Nov.