Racecards
16:40 Stratford
Debenhams Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 148y
- Going: Good to Soft (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Winner: £5,198
- 2nd: £1,526
- 3rd: £763
- 4th: £382
- Form 142-242
- Age 6
- Weight 12-3
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer H Whittington
- Jockey Harry Bannister
led to 1st, tracked leader, led 2 out, soon headed and weakened
- Form 7P5-581
- Age 4
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
prominent, led before last, son headed, kept on and always held run-in
- Form 7232FF-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey T Scudamore
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 6 out, weakened from 3 out
- Form 777-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer O Murphy
- Jockey Ian Popham
always towards rear, weakened before 2 out
- Form 388-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 104
in rear, headway before 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in
- Form 3364-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 100
led from 1st, mistake 2nd, headed 2 out, led again before last, son headed and weakened
- Form 450U-P0
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Miss C Dyson
- Jockey Jamie Bargary
towards rear, reminders before 4 out, soon struggling, weakened from 3 out, soon pulled up
- Form 451P-66
- Age 4
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Mrs S Leech
- Jockey P J Brennan
NonRunner
- Form 7800-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer R J Price
- Jockey Benjamin Poste
NonRunner
Verdict
The switch to Dan Skelton produced an immediate return for Wynford who stayed on to win a modest handicap at Uttoxeter, but he has a tendency to run free early on and is no banker to follow up over this trip. Vital Evidence didn’t show much when last seen over hurdles and both Hongkong Adventure and the Otmoor Poet will need to step up significantly on what they have shown so far to be competitive here. Preference is for CHARLIE PAPA LIMA, who couldn’t quite make all at Southwell last time but it was an encouraging performance on his handicap debut and he can go one better at this shorter trip.
Formwatch
Charlie Papa Lima (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Led, ridden 4 lengths clear between last 2, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Sweet Holly (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Wynford (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Keen early, tracked leaders, led before 2 out and veered badly right at hurdle, went right and awkward last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Back To Balloo (11-13) by 5l, 12 ran.
Vital Evidence (USA) 7-2 (11-4) Towards rear, fell 3rd, at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Hongkong Adventure 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 7th of 8, 35l behind Long Call (10-12) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Mizen Master (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 31 1/2l behind Final Choice (10-12) at Newbury 2m (3) gs in Dec.
The Otmoor Poet 20-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Spinners Ball (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Holy Cross (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, jumped left 1st, no headway from 3 out, 10th of 15, 13l behind Jigsaw Financial (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Hazamar (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Bistouri D'honore (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Distant High 5-1 (8-9) Started slowly, towards rear, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Tobouggaloo (9-1) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jul.