Racecards
15:10 Towcester
Tim Pymont Happy 50th Birthday Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
Busker Royal
36- Form 4-1F236
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Felix de Giles
held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, with winner 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner
- Form 2-33140
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
in touch, joined leaders 4th, led 3 out, headed and mistake 2 out, one pace
- Form 24F241
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
in touch, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on strongly
- Form P/8
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey R J Killoran
always towards rear
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon held
- Form 0600PP
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey W Marston
tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
- Form F08
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer D L Williams
- Jockey R Greene
tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 30
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey N D Fehily
keen and always towards rear
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J R Holt
- Jockey T Messenger
towards rear, ridden 5th, plugged on through beaten horses
Segal (IRE)
27- Form 85
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer A M Hales
- Jockey Paul Moloney
tracked leaders, led 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 80P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J M Maguire
towards rear, kept on moderately from 3 out
Overspin
16- Form P2
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey S Thomas
led, headed 3rd, weakened quickly 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
BUSKER ROYAL has the selection here ahead of Pterodactyl and Bonikos. Usually the selection would have to find two pounds on the highest rated Pterodactyl but with his jockey's claim actually has a pound in hand. His solid performance in a top novice handicap last time rates as strong form and he's been consistently competitive in better race this season. Usually in the mix Pterodactyl ended a run of near misses with an emphatic 14 length victory over course and distance last time out. The form is yet to work out from that effort but as the highest rated he is entitled to go well again. Bonikos can probably be forgiven his last disappointing run where the ground looked plenty soft enough and he should appreciate the return to the conditions which saw him win a better race than this in November. Circus Of Dreams was outclassed in the same race that Buskar Royal performed well in last time, however, he took one of these types of contests in December but he does look have plenty to find here. Segal could run a big race at a bigger price after improving from two starts so far but Buskar Royal looks like the winner.
Formwatch
Busker Royal 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 6th of 18, 11l behind Big Eared Fran (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Circus of Dreams 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out and soon weakened, 14th of 18, 46l behind Big Eared Fran (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Barathea Blazer 100-1 (11-0) Raced keenly well in rear, always behind, no chance when hit 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Pterodactyl (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Crystal Crown (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Dwelt and towards rear, reminders halfway, headway over 1f, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Avertis (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) fbs in Nov (flat).
Custers Last Stand (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) In rear, jumped slowly 2nd, headway to go in touch approaching 7th, weakened 10th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Simple Glory (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Heronway (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of French Willow.
My Boy Nick 66-1 (11-0) With leaders, led 5th, headed after 7th, tailed off, last of 8, well behind De Welsh Wizzard (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Victory Surge (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Behind, pushed along after 4th, soon struggling, 10th of 14, well behind Ikorodu Road (11-1) at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Nomadic Warrior 66-1 (9-12) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 5l behind Simonside (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (5) pol in Mar (flat).
Segal (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, pulled hard, not fluent 5th, blundered 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 13, 24l behind Oddshoes (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Braybrooke Lady (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) In rear, reminders and lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Carole's Legacy (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Overspin 80-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and lost place when left 3rd 3 out, left distant 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 34l behind Call Me A Legend (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Bonikos (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, weakened after 3 out, mistake last, 11th of 16, 45l behind Bakbenscher (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec.
Hideaway 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Switched Off (10-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Dusk 66-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, behind when not fluent 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Supreme de Paille (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.