Racecards
13:40 Towcester
starsportsbet.co.uk Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 7f 151y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Winner: £5,198
- 2nd: £1,526
- 3rd: £763
- 4th: £382
- Form 8-11116
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey Harry Stock
with leaders, led after 3 out, ridden before last, held on well towards finish
The Vocalist
20- Form 21-21
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
led, headed after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and held towards finish
- Form 62-48
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C E Longsdon
- Jockey J J Burke
with leaders early, tracked leaders in 4th, kept on in 3rd before last
- Form 043
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Henry Oliver
- Jockey James Davies
prominent in 3rd place, no extra and lost 3rd before last
- Form U44-540
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 06B
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey Hugh Nugent
held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, no impression before next
- Form 59700
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B I Case
- Jockey Max Kendrick
in rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous
Verdict
THE VOCALIST justified favouritism in a maiden at Huntingdon after finishing second at Fontwell on her first run for new connections. She’s open to further improvement and is proven over this trip whereas likely market rival Spice Girl steps up from 2m. Martin Keighley’s mare was out of her depth last time at Cheltenham but she did win on this stiff course on her hurdling debut, though that form has taken a few knocks since. Jolie Francine has yet to show much under Rules and another ex-pointer, Love Lane, is also best watched.
Formwatch
Spice Girl 20-1 (10-11) Held up, jumped right, struggling 5th, mistake 3 out, well held from next, 6th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Western Ryder (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
The Vocalist 2-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, led before next, dived at last when clear, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Oh Michelle (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Jolie Francine (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, dist behind All Currencies (11-6) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Love Lane (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, ko sme pce from 2out, 3rd of 10, 12 1/2l behind Western Victory (11-11) at Borris House 3m mdn in Dec.
Nicheinthemarket (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) In rear, behind after 6th, tailed off, 14th of 15, dist behind The Vocalist (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Petronella Manners 66-1 (11-0) Not fluent 1st, held up towards rear, brought down after 4th, at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Zara's Reflection 200-1 (10-13) Always behind, 11th of 15, dist behind Al Shahir (11-6) at Towcester 2m mdn (5) gs in Dec.