Racecards
12:20 Towcester
toteplacepot E.B.F. 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Div 1) (Class 4)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Winner: £2,599
- 2nd: £763
- 3rd: £381
- 4th: £190
- Form 12-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey D Bass
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on strongly, driven out
- Form U1-4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leaders and keen in 3rd, led before 5th, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on
- Form 60
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R P McLernon
held up mid-division, behind from 4th
- Form 0-000
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
towards rear, weakened from 3 out
Kala Patthar
31- Form 77P-80
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey Brendan Powell
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and always held
- Form 243-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey J W Farrelly
with leader, blundered 2nd, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, one pace
Little Jimmy
30- Form 9
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer T R Gretton
- Jockey T J Phelan
tracked leaders and keen, weakened before 3 out
- Form 1U4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey Peter Carberry
held up mid-division, headway from 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on
- Form 90-P5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey J Kington
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last
- Form 3F-000
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Adrian Lane
led, headed before 5th, soon reminders, weakened before 2 out
Mytara
33- Form 5/76-5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer C Drew
- Jockey T E Whelan
held up behind, headway and blundered 3 out, ridden next, kept on
In depth
Verdict
Despite giving away 10lb and upwards to his rivals, SPEED MASTER is difficult to oppose in this opener. He won with a bit in hand at Southwell and Leicester last month and has already scored in a bumper on good to soft ground at Ffos Las when Koultas King was third. Monkey Milan could be the one to chase him home, though he did look a little one-paced when fourth at Doncaster last time. Ascot fourth Bobcatbilly will surely need further but Mytara has been keeping decent company and could make the frame if her Wetherby fifth has blown away a few cobwebs.
Formwatch
Speed Master (IRE) 1-3fav (11-5) Raced wide tracked leaders, joined leaders 3 out, led before next, clear last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Fennis Boy (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged from 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 20l behind Simonsig (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Dream Again Boys (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch after 3rd, soon tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Double Ross (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Game Hall (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 9th on outer halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Turban (11-2) at Thurles 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Kala Patthar 150-1 (11-0) Blundered 3rd, always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind It's A Gimme (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Koultas King (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden and one pace from 2f out, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Speed Master (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Little Jimmy 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 36l behind Benheir (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Monkey Milan (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 10, 10l behind Ebanour (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
No Through Road 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, always in rear, slow 7th and next, pushed along and stuggling 3 out, last of 5, 19l behind Mister Dillon (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) gd in Nov.
Total Rebellion (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th and next, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 16, 50l behind Valid Reason (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Mytara 25-1 (9-12) In rear, headway after 4 out, in remote 5th from 3 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 28l behind Hazy Tom (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.