winningexpress.com Novices' Handicap Chase 3m 1f
- (4yo+, 3m 1f, Class 5, 7 runners)
- Winner £2,339 2nd £687 3rd £343 4th £172
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
Print| Pos | Horse | Distance/th> | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 Thorncliffer | 8/1 | |
| 2nd | 2 Whistling Senator | ½ | 9/2 |
Racecard
| # | Form | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | OR | Naps | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6403-P4 |
|
5 | 166 11-12 | Ferdy Murphy | Tony Kelly (5) | 100 | 14/1 | |
| 2 | F77975 |
|
5 | 165 11-11 p1 | Jonjo O'Neill | A P McCoy | 99 | 9/2 | |
| 3 | 8323-36 |
|
6 | 163 11-9 b1 | D McCain Jnr | Henry Brooke (3) | 97 | 4/1 | |
| 4 | 3P07-43 |
|
6 | 158 11-4 | J R Norton | F Davis | 92 | 7/2 | |
| 5 | 43868-F |
|
7 | 148 10-8 t | W Amos | P Buchanan | 82 | 7/1 | |
| 6 | 73746-3 |
|
8 | 140 10-0 t1 | D Shaw | O Garner (7) | 74 | 8/1 | |
| 7 | 2/76U-64 |
|
6 | 140 10-0 | J Wade | B Hughes | 68 | 3/1f |
Race History
| Year | Draw | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 |
Bishophill Jack (IRE)
|
5 | 11-8 | K C Bailey | S Quinlan | 5/2 |
In depth
Verdict
This won't take much winning and you'd imagine that jumping would be paramount. Whistling Senator hasn't shown much over fences so far but is feasibly handicapped while Uttoxeter third Gorey Lane could be improving. Thorncliffer's Fakenham third may not amount to much, however, and Hexham fourth Rocking And Reelin has more scope but also a big weight to carry. OVERAFRICA was tried in cheekpieces at Carlisle last time but never looked liked winning. Blinkers are fitted here and it may pay to give Donald McCain's six-year-old a final chance to confirm the promise he showed over hurdles last year.
Formwatch
Thorncliffer 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, challenged 3rd, led when not fluent 5th, not fluent 11th, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, mistake last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Peak Seasons (9-7) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd in Nov.
Whistling Senator (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Soon tracking leaders, reminder after 8th, outpaced 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Bally Gunner (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Dingo Bay 50-1 (10-5) In touch in 4th, went 3rd from 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 49l behind Shoegazer (11-5) at Hexham 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Gorey Lane (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway 5 out, one pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Master Neo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Rocking And Reelin 18-1 (10-9) Held up behind, headway and hit 8th, went 3rd before 2 out until before last, one pace, 4th of 7, 18l behind Highrate (11-0) at Hexham 2m Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Jan Jandura (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch in 4th when fell 5 out, in a race won by Or de Grugy (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Overafrica (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, mistake 15th ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 22l behind Royal Mackintosh (11-4) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.