Racecards
14:35 Wetherby
'Grouse Moor' Novices' Hurdle (Class D)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
Valeureux
32- Form F333-1F
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Hetherton
- Jockey G Lee
led, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
- Form F44-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Quinn
- Jockey R Garritty
tracked leader, hit 5th, led after 4 out, clear when hit last easily
- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Double Helix
10- Form 50
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M E Sowersby
- Jockey D O'Meara
always behind, tailed off final 3
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C Von Der Recke
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in rear, hit 4th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
- Form 03-3
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer L Lungo
- Jockey G Berridge
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 0/
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B Rothwell
- Jockey A Ross
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
Senor Eduardo
347- Form 005/5-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer S Gollings
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
Stepastray
345- Form P-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 00-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Bastiman
- Jockey H Bastiman
held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened behind when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 2
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
tracked leaders, ridden to go 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened flat, lost 2nd close home
In depth
Verdict
Vintage Premium was useful on the Flat and should be more than capable of winning a race of this nature, with German raider Larssarto, Maunsell's Road and Valeureux making things interesting. Vintage Premium is a classy recruit to the winter game, having won the John Smiths' Cup at York in 2002, and been placed in any number of decent events on the level. Richard Fahey decided to pop him over hurdles at Ayr 11 days ago, but unfortunately chose the same race that Cambridgeshire hero Chivalry made his debut in. Vintage Premium lost no caste in defeat in coming off second best to an above-average rival, and he must soon go one better. His chance will increase if any more rain falls on the Yorkshire track, but even so, connections will be looking for the winner's berth here. Larssarto was considered fairly useful on the Flat in his homeland, but despite having Tony McCoy in the saddle, does not look unbeatable . Maunsell's Road does not look to be one of Len Lungo's top novices, having shown only moderate form over hurdles so far, and his Flat form was way inferior to that of the selection. Valeureux was struggling to defy a penalty incurred at Hexham when coming to grief at Carlisle, and again has it to do here. Vintage Premium will be a popular choice and gets the vote.