Racecards
14:05 Warwick
Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 54y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £52,000 added
- Winner: £29,614
- 2nd: £11,112
- 3rd: £5,564
- 4th: £2,772
- Form 53-B111
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Tom Cannon
chased leaders, led 4 out, in command 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out
- Form 64-1131
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up in last, closed 4 out, shaken up and disputing 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on
- Form 41-6111
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey G Sheehan
chased leader, mistake 4th, led after 8th, headed 4 out, disputing 2nd and no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on
- Form 35-F31F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer A M Hales
- Jockey Kielan Woods
raced freely, clear 3rd until before 6th, not fluent 7th, headed after next, weakened from 3 out
Verdict
A poor turnout numerically but an interesting race with all four in top form. For Pleasure looked one to follow when scoring by a distance at Plumpton and was still in front when falling at the last in a Grade 2 at Doncaster a fortnight ago. However, he was being strongly challenged by Third Time Lucki at the time and Dan Skelton's charge looked to be going best. EDWARDSTONE won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in a canter and had no problems following up in a Grade 2 at Kempton. He's a leading fancy for the Arkle so has to win this to justify his entry. Brave Seasca is attempting a four-timer with two of his three victories coming on this track. They were at a much lower level but he deserves a crack at this grade.
Formwatch
Edwardstone 8-15fav (11-7) Held up in touch, jumped left 1st, went third after 4 out, headway to challenge 3 out, pushed along to lead before 2 out, went clear approaching last, ran on well, comfortably, won at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Do Your Job (11-2) by 10l, 4 ran.
Third Time Lucki (IRE) 8-15fav (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd going strongly 4 out, challenged on bit when left well clear last, won at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan beating Do Your Job (11-0) by 30l, 3 ran.
Brave Seasca (FR) 4-5fav (10-6) Jumped well throughout, made all, pressed until 5th, ran on, comfortable, won at Warwick 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Sky Pirate (11-12) by 7l, 4 ran.
For Pleasure (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, clear 2nd until 5th, ridden before 2 out, joined by winner still on bit when fell last, at Doncaster 2m (1) gd in Jan.