Racecards
16:40 Stratford
John And Nigel Thorne Memorial Cup Hunters' Chase (Class 5)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 15-8134
- Age 11
- Weight 12-4
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer Miss V Collins
- Jockey Mr J Maxse
led, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 18-U112
- Age 8
- Weight 12-4
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer C E Longsdon
- Jockey Mr J S Horton
always prominent, went 2nd 4th, led after 3 out, came clear from 2 out, easily
- Form 651-14P
- Age 10
- Weight 12-1
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer R Waley-Cohen
- Jockey Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
soon in touch racing keenly, mistake 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
Corkan (IRE)
27- Form R-32114
- Age 14
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 66
- Trainer P Mathias
- Jockey Mr J F Mathias
held up in rear, lost touch from 7th
- Form P6U53-3
- Age 14
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer Mrs S Wilson
- Jockey Mr Andrew Martin
chased leader to 4th, remained prominent, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 1314F3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer G F Edwards
- Jockey Mr D Edwards
soon behind, tailed off 7th, mistake 2 out
- Form 1U3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Mrs Yvonne Goss
- Jockey Mr J Goss
mid-division, pulled hard, jumped slowly 5th, headway next, weakened 2 out
- Form 242851
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey Miss Diana Hobbs
held up, reminders after 10th, went poor 3rd last
Flax Hill
26- Form F1-1222
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Mrs J Mann
- Jockey Mr P Mann
soon in mid-division, headway and hit 7th, mistake next (water), chased winner 2 out, no chance
- Form 111212
- Age 13
- Weight 12-4
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer Mrs C M Gorman
- Jockey Mr M Gorman
Nonrunner
- Form 0310/33
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey Mr D H Dunsdon
Nonrunner
Verdict
You Do The Math was turned over at cramped odds at Kempton last time but he had looked good when winning at Sandown prior to that and is given another chance. Dangers include Mel In Blue, Cape Stormer and Whereareyounow. The selection showed useful form under Rules for Alan King before making his debut for his current connections in this sphere at Sandown in March. His subsequent eclipse was disappointing but the winner did enjoy the run of the race from the front and he's given the chance to atone. Whereareyounow boasts a decent strike rate for a horse of his ability and it would be no surprise to see him go well with conditions to suit whilst Mel In Blue represents a powerful team and faces a more realistic assignment here than on his last two outings. Cape Stormer isn't getting any younger but he holds his form well and continues to race with great zest. He should have a say in the outcome but we think the younger legs of You Do The Math will prevail.
Formwatch
Whereareyounow (IRE) 9-4 (12-5) Nvr rchd ldrs, 4th of 11, 24l behind You Do The Math (12-5) at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Feb.
You Do The Math (IRE) 4-7fav (11-11) Held up, blundered 3rd, mistake 8th, ridden 5 out, kept on to chase winner in vain, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Jurado Express (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hts chs (4) gs in Mar.
Mel In Blue (FR) 50-1 (12-0) Mid-division, struggling after 15th, soon dropped rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Amicelli (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Saint Romble (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Led til hdd 4 out; rallied 2 out; led flat; stayed on wl, won at Kingston St Mary 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Rye Brook (11-0) by 11l, 3 ran.
Cape Stormer (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Prominent, led 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 29l behind Alvino (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hts chs (6) gd in Mar.
Fauntleroy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Made most; shkn up & qcknd flat, won at Marks Tey 3m ptp gs beating Limerick Leader (11-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Soleil Fix (FR) 7-2 (12-0) Held up, mistake 5th, headway 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Why Connie (11-11) at Stratford 2m 7f nov hts chs (5) gs in Mar.