Racecards
18:55 Wetherby
Sky Bet 08000 722421 Freephone Betting Handicap Chase (Class F)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 341F/6-3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey M Bradburne
mid-division, headway 5th, led 4 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
- Form 05334-3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer T D Walford
- Jockey R Walford
close up, led 3rd, headed approaching 6th, remained close up, hit 5 out, ridden 4 out, kept on from 3 out, no impression
- Form 06P/11-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey G Lee
always behind, driven after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
- Form 264535-
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Mrs A Naughton
- Jockey N Hannity
towards rear, reminded after 9th, lost place from next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
- Form P3P/P4-4
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Sir John Barlow Bt
- Jockey B P Harding
led to 3rd, chased leaders, quickly lost place and pulled up before 10th, dismounted
- Form 30130-P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey A Dempsey
tracked leaders, ridden after 5 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 052/PPP-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
reminders after start, soon in touch, pushed along 9th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
- Form 30P4F-1
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey J M Maguire
mid-division, headway 13th, hit 5 out, ridden next, weakened after last
- Form 62530-4
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey S Durack
tracked leader, led approaching 6th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, led again 2 out, kept on well flat
- Form RP5U-U4
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey Jim Crowley
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form 005P3-2
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J R Cornwall
- Jockey F Keniry
behind, headway approaching 10th, ridden after 5 out, weakened approaching 2 out
In depth
Verdict
The ground could be a crucial factor here but, assuming there is no appreciable deterioration in the ground, Just Strong is just preferred to Guilsbourogh Gorse, Strongtrooper and The Merry Mason. Just Strong has been freshened up by a short break after a below par effort at Carlisle in April, but returns on a fair mark, for what is in truth, a moderate handicap that is unlikely to be the most informative race on the card. He has a gutsy attitude and stays well when conditions are in his favour. A line through Waterberg gives him the beating of Strongtrooper if the form is taken literally. And he could provide a bit of value in a tricky race if the rain stays away. The usually consistent Guilsbourogh Gorse will be sporting cheeckpieces in the hope that it will keep him focused in the closing stages. But he has a tendency to find one too good in a battle and may do so again today. The Merry Mason is a dour stayer and will be hard to keep out of the frame.