1.00pm The Mick Bird (Grandad Birdy) Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

from Stratford Racecard - Sunday 17th July

2.30pm The Hiorns Hats Mares' Handicap Hurdle

The Mick Bird (Grandad Birdy) Memorial Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5)

TWO MILES ABOUT THREE AND A HALF FURLONGS (2m 3f 98yds)

for novice four yrs old and upwards, Total race value £7400 Owners Prize Money. Winner £2504; Second £1252; Third £626; Fourth £313; Fifth £280; Sixth £280. (Penalty Value £3267.60) Weights raised 3lbs and paragraph 34 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable.

SEE PAGE 38 FOR CONDITIONS OF THIS RACE.

O OWNER T TRAINER B BREEDER S SPONSOR

No./Horse FORM Age st lb Jockey

1 CREMANT (IRE) (19)

B g Getaway (GER) - Opera Season (IRE) O Mr Phil Simmonds

220-313 CD 8 12 0

Br Mrs T. C. Kouwenberg T Neil Mulholland, Limpley Stoke S Leafyard, Bet UK / Game Tech Marketing Limited YELLOW, LIGHT GREEN seams, LIGHT GREEN and YELLOW striped sleeves, YELLOW cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Won an Aintree handicap hurdle in June. Best run over fences when third in C&D handicap since. Should be thereabouts if in similar form. Star Rating####! Official BHA Rating 102 KEVIN BROGAN

2 FELINO DE BERSY (FR) (3) P4-2220 7 11 12

B g Martaline - Ondine de Bersy (FR) O Mr D. B. Roberts Br Mr Bernard Caron & Mr Benjamin Caron

T Dave Roberts, Kenley BLACK, large WHITE spots, BLACK sleeves, WHITE spots, BLACK cap, WHITE star.

TIMEFORM VIEW Runner-up twice in points in May and also second back hurdling for new yard in weak 2m Southwell novice last month. Well held in handicap hurdle off this mark since so he’ll need to improve for a switch to fences. Star Rating##!!! Official BHA Rating 100 LEE EDWARDS

3 CARDBOARD GANGSTER (GB) (17) 365P-41 7 11 4

Gr g Norse Dancer (IRE) - Hiho Silver Lining O Mr Mark E. Smith Br T. G. Lane T D. J. Jeffreys, Hinton-On-The-Green S Nationwide Vehicle Contracts Ltd

WHITE, RED cross belts and sleeves.

TIMEFORM VIEW Left his previous efforts in handicaps behind when winning 3m Perth chase 17 days ago. 8lb rise means a bit more will be required if he’s to follow up. Star Rating###!! Official BHA Rating 92 TOM BELLAMY

4 SERJEANT PAINTER (GB) (20) 104-311 CD 7 11 2

B g Royal Applause - Szabo’s Art O The Ben Pauling Racing Club Br Limestone Stud

T Ben Pauling, Naunton DARK GREEN, large LIGHT BLUE spots. S Jeremy Houghton - Houghtonart, Fitzdares Club

TIMEFORM VIEW Barely modest over hurdles but has landed a pair of 2m Southwell handicaps since switching to fences. Likely he has more to offer and a further 5lb rise doesn’t look enough to prevent him completing a hat-trick. Star Rating##### Official BHA Rating 90 KIELAN WOODS

5 PITTSBURG (IRE) (28) P15P-00 D 6 10 8

B g Sageburg (IRE) - Constant Approach (IRE) O Mr R. D. Potter Br John Fitzgerald T Ryan Potter, Sellack WHITE, LIGHT BLUE spots, striped sleeves, WHITE cap.

TIMEFORM VIEW Returned from wind surgery to land a gamble at Catterick (19f) in December. Gone into his shell since so will need the switch to fences to have a positive effect. Star Rating##!!! Official BHA Rating 82 CALLUM BEWLEY

6 SILVRETTA SCHWARZ (IRE) (14) 6335-50 7 10 2

B m Silver Frost (IRE) - Perruche Grise (FR) O Max Young Racing Club Br Mcgrassick & Paul Croke T Max Young, Droitwich PURPLE, WHITE diamond, WHITE sleeves, PURPLE diamonds, PURPLE cap, WHITE diamond.

TIMEFORM VIEW Moderate maiden hurdler/chaser nowadays and well-held both starts this term. First-time cheekpieces will need to make a difference. Star Rating##!!! Official BHA Rating 69

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 6. Tongue Strap worn by No. 1, 2, 5. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1.

T H E R E S U L T . . .

IST ......................................................

2ND ..................................................... 3RD ......................................................

4TH ...................................................... DISTANCES..................................

TIME................................................

2021: ROYAL RUBY 9 11 12 Nico de Boinville 4-1 (Nicky Henderson) 7 ran

PLAY SMARTER

BETTING FORECAST:

11-8 Serjeant Painter (GB), 3-1 Cardboard Gangster (GB), 7-2 Cremant (IRE), 12-1 Felino de Bersy (FR), 25-1 Pittsburg (IRE), 50-1 Silvretta Schwarz (IRE)

RACE SUMMARY:

SERJEANT PAINTER has been a bit of a revelation since switched to fences and can extend his unbeaten record in this sphere to 3. Cremant is preferred to recent Perth scorer Cardboard Gangster for the forecast spot.

1-2-3:

1.SERJEANT PAINTER 2.CREMANT (IRE) 3.CARDBOARD GANGSTER

FREE form for all British and Irish meetings is available online every day at timeform.com/free

T H E F A M I L Y O F M I C K B I R D

The family of Mick Bird generously sponsored this race and will present a memento to the winning owner and award a cash prize of £50 to the stable employee in charge of the best turned out horse.

F L A S H P H O T O G R A P H Y

We would ask all racegoers to refrain from using 5ash photography whilst on course.

E M E R G E N C Y E V A C U A T I O N N

In the event of an emergency all persons on the racecourse will be alerted by the following message over the public address system. This is an emergency announcement. Due to circumstances beyond our control, racing has been temporarily suspended. Would all patrons please evacuate ALL buildings and make your way across the racetrack to the Red post marker in the Centre of the Course. Police and Racecourse Officials will assist and direct you. Please do not go to any Car Park until you are cleared to do so, because you may hamper the movement of emergency vehicles. The message will then be repeated.

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