Grolsch Handicap Chase 2m 5f
- (5yo+, 2m 5f, Class 3, 8 runners)
- Winner £16,245 2nd £4,770 3rd £2,385 4th £1,192
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
Print| Pos | Horse | Distance/th> | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 Politeo | 11/2 | |
| 2nd | 7 Milarrow | 8 | 8/1 |
| 3rd | 3 Ballyallia Man | 1¾ | 13/8f |
Racecard
| # | Form | Horse | A | Wgt | Trainer | Jockey | OR | Naps | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PP-4P61 |
|
9 | 166 11-12 | Miss V Williams | Aidan Coleman | 136 | 7/1 | |
| 2 | 767-235 |
|
8 | 165 11-11 p | P F Nicholls | Harry Derham (5) | 135 | 13/2 | |
| 3 | 31-3421 |
|
8 | 162 11-8 t | T R George | P J Brennan | 132 | 13/8f | |
| 4 | 630-232 |
|
8 | 162 11-8 | P J Hobbs | R Johnson | 132 | 6/1 | |
| 5 | 2-254P3 |
|
10 | 150 10-10 | J Scott | Matt Griffiths (3) | 120 | 16/1 | |
| 6 | 323-034 |
|
7 | 148 10-8 | Nick Williams | D A Jacob | 118 | 11/2 | |
| 7 | 41-2132 |
|
6 | 148 10-8 | C L Tizzard | J Tizzard | 118 | 8/1 | |
| 8 | 51P398/ |
|
10 | 140 10-0 vt | D Pipe | C O'Farrell | 109 | 22/1 |
In depth
Verdict
Ballyallia Man won easily over track and trip two weeks ago when Webberys Dream was a distant third but he's been raised 12lb for that effort and is taking on better opposition today. Carrickboy came right back to form when beating Shoegazer at Chepstow but Royal Charm and Politeo are struggling to get their head in front and more interesting is Milarrow, who kept on well over this trip at Kempton last time despite being beaten more than 30 lengths. ARTHURIAN LEGEND just got outstayed by Keppols Hill over 3m at Chepstow last time having travelled and jumped well to the third-last. The drop in distance looks ideal and Philip Hobbs' novice can open his account over fences now.
Formwatch
Politeo (FR) 15-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, went 4th 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 16l behind Mister Hyde (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec.
Milarrow (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in 5th, outpaced when left moderate 4th 12th, left 3rd 2 out, went remote 2nd before last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 34l behind Rajdhani Express (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Ballyallia Man (IRE) 11-5fav (11-2) Prominent, led after 13th, clear before 3 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft beating Definity (11-12) by 22l, 9 ran.
Royal Charm (FR) 11-2 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 11th, mistake and ridden 13th, plugged on to modest 4th before 3 out, no impression when dropped to 5th flat, 5th of 11, 25l behind Katenko (10-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs (2) sft.
Carrickboy (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed next, led again 4th, headed 4 out, ridden next, still upsides last, soon led, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs (2) hvy beating Shoegazer (11-11) by 5l, 9 ran.
Arthurian Legend 9-4 (11-0) Held up in 5th, headway 11th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, driven and every chance when not fluent last, edged left flat, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Keppols Hill (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chase (4) hvy.
Peut Etre Sivola (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd went 2nd before 14th until before 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 16, 36l behind Ammunition (11-2) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar '11.
Webberys Dream 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, outpaced before 10th, well beaten before 3 out, mistake 2 out, plugged on to take 3rd last, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Ballyallia Man (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.