Racecards
13:45 Wetherby
Richard Whiteley Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 622115-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey Mr A J Berry
tracked leader until lost place 4 out
- Form 47P-222
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, every chance and ridden when fell last
- Form 3711-08
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey K Renwick
tracked leaders, driven 5 out, soon weakened
Nerone (GER)
22- Form U-73F33
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey T Doyle
held up and keen, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened
- Form 5P4102
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey R Garritty
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, left 2nd last, one pace, no chance with winner
- Form 776F10
- Age 9
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer Miss Kariana Key
- Jockey A Dempsey
led, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
Flake
40- Form 2-72505
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer Mrs S J Smith
- Jockey P Whelan
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, under pressure when left clear last, ridden out
Verdict
Turbo, Eborarry and Flake are three against the field in a competitive handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Turbo. The selection was a good second behind Dusky Lord last time out when they were clear of the third that form looks rock solid in the context of this race and off the same mark here he will be hard to beat. Eborarry rates the main danger on his latest second behind Gardasee but this looks more competitive and he may struggle off this mark. Flake has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but his best form is on a faster surface. Hegarty is another that could go well but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 489 day absence and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Of the remainder Nerone is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type and for the winner we return to Turbo.
Formwatch
Hegarty (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Led, headed 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind and trailing before 2 out, last of 5, 46l behind Studmaster (10-10) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 sft in Oct '04.
Turbo (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Held up, smooth headway to track leading pair after 3 out, chased winner and every chance flat, no extra near finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Oct.
Fair Spin 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 3 out, last of 8, well behind Oso Magic (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Dec.
Nerone (GER) 9-2 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Eborarry (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance next, ridden and no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Gardasee (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Merryvale Man 20-1 (10-5) Led, headed approaching 4th, weakened 4 out, 12th of 16, 40l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Flake 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and effort after next, no impression approaching last, 5th of 16, 14l behind Aston Lad (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) sft in Dec.