Racecards
15:10 Warwick
Banbury 'national Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £4,500 added
- Form 5FP032
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 88
set moderate gallop, went clear from 3 out, getting weary, still 4 lengths ahead last, headed final 50 yards
- Form 5334R4
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer C T Pogson
- Jockey A Pogson
raced in 4th, went 2nd 8th, hit 9th, under pressure 3 out, lost 2nd when bumped 2 out
- Form 7-44
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer S Lycett
- Jockey Tony Evans
chased leading pair, reminder after 7th, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 39/0F5-0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs S E Handley
- Jockey L Stephens
jumped left, chased leader until after 7th, soon dropped to last, struggling, remote 8th, mistake 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, soon went 2nd, drifted left flat, led final 50 yards
Verdict
Big John Macarty is impossible to oppose here with Kingscourt Lad and Shergill rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair second behind Comber last time out. That form is rock solid in the context of this race and he need only run up to that form to win this with plenty in hand. Kingscourt Lad rates the main danger on his latest fouth behind Felinious but only 1 win in 27 starts is off-putting. Shergill has the highest bhb rating of these but he is bred to be suited by a longer trip in time. Snargate looks outclassed and for the winner we return to Big John Macarty.
Formwatch
Big John Macarty (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Led, ridden 2 out, headed last strides, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Comber (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Kingscourt Lad (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 15, 9l behind Felinious (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Shergill (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 12l behind Gone To Lunch (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Snargate 125-1 (10-9) Mid-division, raced keenly, behind from 7th, 10th of 16, well behind The Sliotar (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.