Racecards
14:30 Stratford
Steve Hammond Beginners' Chase (Class 4)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Form 435830/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs Susan Nock
- Jockey T Scudamore
mid-division, jumped left 8th and 9th, headway 4 out, weakened after 3 out
- Form 497/F-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J A B Old
- Jockey J M Maguire
led to 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 3/11-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
raced keenly, held up, headway after 11th, challenged going well 3 out, led just before 2 out, easily
- Form P/74-PF4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 98
held up, mistake 10th, soon ridden, struggling, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish
- Form 42/U306-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, lost touch approaching 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 3P/1220-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders, blundered 4th, led 4 out to 3 out, soon ridden, one pace, no impression approaching 2 out
- Form 111279-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
chased leaders until 4 out, no danger after
- Form 18700-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs Susan Nock
- Jockey B Wharfe
mid-division, headway approaching 11th, close up 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Nikola (FR)
226- Form 2410-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Tony Evans
towards rear, not fluent 8th, driven along 11th, soon lost touch
- Form 3610/0-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer B De Haan
- Jockey James Davies
chased leader, led 3 out, ridden, headed just before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
- Form 434803-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey P C O'Neill
prominent to 4 out, no chance with leaders when not fluent 2 out
- Form 3/22310-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, jumped slowly 5th, outpaced after 5 out, no real danger after
In depth
Verdict
Five Colours, Don't Push It and Down's Folly are three against the field in this competitive affair and the narrow vote is given to Five Colours. The selection was a fair sort over hurdles is sure to have been well schooled for this his chasing debut abnd with his yard amongs thew winners he will be hard to beat. Don't Push It rates the main danger as he won well when last seen over hurdles when beating Hoh Viss but his very best form is on a softer surface. Down's Folly is another that could go well but on hurdles ratings he has a few pounds to find with the principals. Of the others. Nikola is from a yard in top form and is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Five Colours who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Formwatch
Don't Push It (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, pulled clear flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) sft in Dec beating Hoh Viss (11-5) by 4l, 11 ran.
Easter Present (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 21l behind Oscatello (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Five Colours (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mistake 2nd, mid-division, hit 4th and next, weakened 4 out, 11th of 19, 43l behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 16-1 (10-8) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind Dom d'Orgeval (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
Nikola (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, weakened 3 out, 19th of 20, well behind Noland (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Woody Valentine (USA) 9-2 (11-12) Prominent, chased leader 4th, left in lead 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, eased when beaten approaching last, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Red Echo (10-3) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Rowlands Dream (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Took keen hold in mid-division, hampered on bend after 4th, never in contention after, 13th of 16, 49l behind Golden Bay (9-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Down's Folly (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, not fluent 1st, soon chased leaders, led, going well between last 2, kept on well until headed, not pace of winner final 75 yards, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Astyanax (10-9) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar.