Racecards
14:15 Perth
Fonab Castle Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 35y
- Going: Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £7,000 added
- Winner: £4,431
- 2nd: £1,309
- 3rd: £654
- 4th: £328
- Form 2/2P12-6
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey Blair Campbell
made all, clear before 7th, reduced lead when hit 2 out, strongly pressed when hit last, driven run-in, all out
- Form 306-0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer L Kerr
- Jockey Henry Brooke
chased winner, reminder after 4th, lost 2nd 6th, weakened quickly after next, tailed off
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss S Barkley
- Jockey R P McLernon
mid-division, weakened after 7th, soon behind, tailed off and eased from 2 out
- Form 41113-1
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
mistakes, chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, challenged and not fluent last, kept on under pressure run-in, just held
- Form 9565-5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer I Jardine
- Jockey Ross Chapman
always towards rear, tailed off
- Form 5
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey C O'Farrell
towards rear, remote 5th after 3 out, never a factor
- Form 321/643-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey B S Hughes
chased leaders, hit 4th, went 2nd 6th until 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
- Form PP
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Caroline Mccaldin
- Jockey Alain Cawley
mid-division, lost place 4th, towards rear, rallied into remote 4th 3 out
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer W Coltherd
- Jockey Sam Coltherd
always in rear, tailed off 7th, soon pulled up
- Form U-5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey Mr Cameron Wadge
headway chasing leaders 3rd, weakened 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Gordon Elliott provided Richard Johnson with a hatful of winners last season to enable the champion to retain his crown and the combination are likely to prove similarly lethal this time around. CARRIE DES CHAMPS already houses an enviable strike rate of 3-5 in bumpers and then scored cosily on hurdling debut. She can only improve with experience over timber and is hard to oppose. Bialco is a worthy foe though, having produced a cracking performance at long odds when sixth in a large-field handicap at the Punchestown Festival. However, the concession of 7lb to the Elliott inmate may prove too difficult. Consistent Irish raider, Lily's Gem, is next best.
Formwatch
Bialco (FR) 50-1 (10-9) Waited with, 17th before 6th, soon headway, kept on without threatening straight, 6th of 23, 4 1/4l behind My Sister Sarah (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Cons Amigo (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 3rd, soon behind, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Onthefrontfoot (11-2) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Falkland Castle (IRE) Kalanisi gelding out of Grand Lili.
Carrie Des Champs (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Prominent, some slight mistakes, on terms 3 out, led approaching straight, stayed on best run-in, won at Tipperary 2m mdn gd in May beating Blue Heather (10-13) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Lastofthecosmics 66-1 (10-8) Held up in last pair, struggling 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off next, last of 5, dist behind Some Day Soon (11-4) at Kelso 2m (3) gd in May.
Island Mahee (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Detached in rear, jumped slowly 1st, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 7, dist behind She'sasupermack (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Lily's Gem (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outer, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, 4th next, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 21, 10 1/2l behind Final List (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn sft in Mar.
Miss Lanefox (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Twrds rr, 8th 5out, wknd 4out & pu next, at Broughshane 3m mdn gd in May.
Phoebes Saga (FR) Youmzain M out of Saga Roma.
Refer To Rory 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 4th, lost place before next, closed after 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Dollys Destination (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gd in May.