Racecards
14:25 Sandown Park
32Red Tolworth Hurdle (Grade 1 Novices' Hurdle) (Class 1)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- £40,000 added
- Winner: £22,780
- 2nd: £8,548
- 3rd: £4,280
- 4th: £2,132
- Form 42/1-11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer H Fry
- Jockey N D Fehily
tracked leader, chased winner from approaching 2 out, ridden and readily held between last 2
- Form 3622-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
tracked leading pair, not fluent 4th, smooth headway on outside to lead before 2 out, pushed clear between last 2, went slightly left last, kept on strongly run-in
- Form 22-114
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
led, hit 4th, went left 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon outpaced in 3rd, well beaten when fell last
- Form 09P/
- Age 11
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss Z C Davison
- Jockey Gemma Gracey-Davison
held up last, outpaced and no chance from 5th, soon lost touch, left in distant 3rd last
In depth
Verdict
A disappointing turnout for a Grade 1 and it's difficult to look beyond L'AMI SERGE. Nicky Henderson's French import beat subsequent easy winner Kilcooley in a Listed handicap on his UK debut and then cruised by Killultagh Vic in a Grade 2 at Ascot - he looks a smart prospect. Jolly's Cracked It has won a couple of decent novice events at Ascot but may struggle to complete the hat-trick against the selection off level weights. Shelford also has plenty to prove, though did run well in the Ladbroke just before Christmas as he was always prominent in a fast-run race. The 2m is short of his best, however, while Thelordbewithyou is hopelessly outclassed.
Formwatch
Jolly's Cracked It (FR) 5-4 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led soon after, 3 lengths ahead when blundered badly 2 out, went right last, ridden and kept on flat, held on gamely, won at Ascot 2m hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Jebril (11-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led 2 out, quickened clear between last 2, well in command when mistake last, easily, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec beating Killultagh Vic (11-7) by 7l, 3 ran.
Shelford (IRE) 5-1fav (10-7) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed before last, lost 2nd at the last, no extra and dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 18, 3l behind Bayan (11-5) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Dec.
Thelordbewithyou (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) In rear, weakened 8th, detached when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Broadway Buffalo (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar '13, 6 ran.