13:30 Stratford

Thursday 3 August 2017

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Happy Birthday Rob Williams Handicap Chase

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 5  |   2m 3f 98y  |   Good  |   10 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 13:30  |   Winning time: 4m 39.10s
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The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
1
Horse silk
Asockastarp32
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR:  95
9/1
Yet to win in nine starts for this yard but best effort came on sole attempt over fences at Sedgefield (2m½f, soft) in March off this rating. Was doing best work at the finish there and could be up to winning now over this longer journey having had a recent pipe-opener over timber and with the champ up.
2
Horse silk
Daulys Anthemt174
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR:  94
6/4
Winless in 14 starts and has essentially been a shade disappointing in six chase runs despite attracting plenty support. Should run his race but liable to find a couple too good again.
3
Horse silk
Irish Thistlep11
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-11| J: N D Fehily| T: D L Williams| OR:  94
14/1
Just two wins from 32 starts over these obstacles, at least getting some relief from the assessor now having been handicapped out of things in recent runs. Hard to recommend on form.
4
Horse silk
Go On Henryp,t18
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Ed Bailey(7)| T: M Sheppard| OR:  90
8/1
Not a reliable customer but has plummeted down the ratings over the last year, ran an encouraging race over C&D last month and could have place claims on that evidence.
5
Horse silk
Sage Monkey18
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR:  88
7/2
Burst a blood vessel at Uttoxeter in May and remains a maiden but promising effort over C&D last month when just edging Go On Henry out of second spot behind an easy winner. Should go well once more.
6
Horse silk
Drumlang317
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: K Frost| OR:  84
25/1
Now an 11yo and was really struggling last year over fences. Returns from 317 days off and is rated just 3lb lower, probably best to adopt a cautious approach for now.
7
Horse silk
High Aspirations68
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: M Blake| OR:  83
10/1
Won four times over fences in 2016 but unplaced in nine runs since September last and little in those runs to warrant suggestion a turnaround was coming. Now 13lb below previous winning mark if putting things together.
8
Horse silk
Volcanic Jack12
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-5| J: T J Phelan| T: M C Chapman| OR:  74
50/1
Sprung a 50/1 shock at Cartmel in June last year over 2m5f on good ground. That is sole victory in ten chase starts and has toiled badly in two runs recently. Looks up against things again.
9
Horse silk
Aregrap343
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-1| J: S Bowen| T: P D Niven| OR:  70| D
9/1
Winner over this sort of trip at Catterick in December 2015 off a mark of 77, though produced a string of laboured efforts last year and back in action now after 343-day layoff. Worth a look in the betting nonetheless.
10
Horse silk
Castley Lanep,t100
Age: 11|  Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: Sara Ender| OR:  67
66/1
Now 11-years-old and made it to the track just 10 times, was pulled up at Hexham in April over 3m when last spotted and hard to envisage a breakthrough coming here.

Forecasts

Daulys Anthem (6/4), Sage Monkey (7/2), Go On Henry (8/1), Aregra (9/1), Asockastar (9/1), High Aspirations (10/1), Irish Thistle (14/1), Drumlang (25/1), Volcanic Jack (50/1), Castley Lane (66/1)

Verdict

Sage Monkey gamely battled to take second over this C&D last time out ahead of Go On Henry, the pair having no chance behind an easy winner. Both are respected now. Daulys Anthem has been backed to win a race like this in the past but has not been able to deliver. A change of scenery could improve his lot and his place in the market should be noted on debut for the Skelton's. High Aspirations is potentially well-handicapped but must put some poor efforts behind him so the nod goes to ASOCKASTAR for Tim Vaughan. He remains a maiden but showed good promise on previous chase outing at Uttoxeter in March, when shaping as if this long trip would suit. He had a pipe-opener over hurdles last month and won't lack for help from the saddle with the champion jockey booked.
  1. Asockastar
  2. Daulys Anthem
  3. Sage Monkey

Prize Money

1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00

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