4TH RACE

THE BOBBY RENTON HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3)

for four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £16500

Owners Prize Money. Winner £6301; Second £3151; Third £1575; Fourth £788; Fifth £280; Sixth £280; Seventh £280. (Penalty Value £8223.46)

FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK

| FACTS | FANCIES | FORM | STATS |

Leading course trainer (17-22): Mrs P Kirby (23 wins from 181 runners, 13%) runs NIVEN and WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): Mrs P Kirby (1 win from 17 runners, 6%) runs NIVEN and WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF Longest Traveller: SWORD OF FATE trained by Leonard Kerr, Irvine, 217 miles.

RACE DESCRIPTION This is a two miles, three and a half furlongs handicap steeple chase for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 0 to 140. Once a horse has qualified for a handicap rating this is regularly reassessed. A below-par effort could result in a reduced rating whilst a strong performance could see the rating increased. Occasionally, horses are entered to race before their handicap rating has been reviewed and so to avoid recent winners being un-penalised they are allotted a mandatory penalty –usually 7lb.

colours no horse form

age st-lb 1 WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF (IRE) (194) 104P15- CD 8 12-2

B g Dylan Thomas (IRE) - Dame Foraine (FR) Jockey: Sean Quinlan Owner: Hambleton Racing Ltd XXXIV Trainer: Philip Kirby, Richmond Breeder: Mountainview Stud Ltd Tipperary Sponsor: Hambleton Racing Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Won a couple of times last season, including this corresponding race. Not disgraced when last seen at Ayr 6 months ago and his record fresh is such that he demands respect. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 142 2 PENCREEK (FR) (39) P-21112 D

9 11-5

Ch g Konig Shuffle (GER) - Couture Fleurs (FR) Jockey: Luca Morgan (3) Owner: Mrs G. S. Worcester Trainer: Ben Pauling, Naunton Breeder: Mr Denis Bourez Sponsor: Fitzdares

TIMEFORMVIEW Benefited from the fitting of cheekpieces in the summer, completing a hat-trick at Market Rasen (19.2f, good to firm) in July. Denied by another thriving rival at Stratford last time, so merits serious consideration. Star RatingHHHHH BHA 131 3 TARDREE (IRE) (44) 221F12 D

Ch g Mahler - Brownie Points (IRE) Owner: Bennett and O’Brien Breeder: Thomas Maher

8 11-2

Jockey: Adam Wedge Trainer: L J Morgan, Waltham On The Wolds Sponsor: Postpack Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual chase winner who landed a couple of novice hurdles in the summer and wasn’t disgraced when second under a double penalty at Cartmel 44 days ago. Can’t be dismissed returning to the larger obstacles. Star RatingHHHII BHA 128 4 SAINT ARVANS (FR) (36) 311341 C

B g Motivator - Castellina (USA) Owner: Mr D Carr and Miss A P Lee Breeder: Deer Daniel John & M. E.

8 10-8

Jockey: Brian Hughes Trainer: Maurice Barnes, Brampton Sponsor: Maurice Barnes Racing Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Likeable type who has taken well to chasing this year and was back to winning ways in a small-field event at Hexham 36 days ago. Has a fitness edge on most and looks sure to give another good account. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 120 5 FRIMEUR DE LANCRAY (FR) (204) 2F46U2- D 7 10-2

B g Saddler Maker (IRE) - Jecyfly (FR)

Jockey: Ross Chapman Owner: Mrs A. Ellis Trainer: Sue Smith, Bingley Breeder: Mr Michel Thomas & Mr Eric Thomas Sponsor: Tuffa Footwear Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Yet to score over fences, but he posted good second over C&D 6 months ago. Cheekpieces on and not dismissed on return. Star RatingHHHII BHA 114 6 NIVEN (IRE) (319) 45323/0-

9 10-2

B g Elusive Pimpernel (USA) - Ginger Lily (IRE) Jockey: Joe Williamson (5) Owner: John Birtles and Bill Allan Trainer: Philip Kirby, Richmond Breeder: M. Barnwell Sponsor: Philip Kirby Racing, Topspec Equine Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Potentially well treated but offered little in a handicap chase at Newcastle 10 months ago and hasn’t been seen since. Others make more appeal. Star RatingHHIII BHA 112 7 SWORD OF FATE (IRE) (21) 205323 D

9 10-2

B g Beneficial - Beann Ard (IRE) Owner: Mr A Kerr Mr L Kerr Breeder: Mrs Bronagh Brady Lawler Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Trainer: Leonard Kerr, Irvine

DECLARED RUNNERS 7 2021: WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF (IRE) 7 11 10 Sean Quinlan 10-3 (Philip Kirby) 5 ran

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 5. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 3, 4. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 6. Probable S.P’s: 11-4 Pencreek (FR), 9-2 Saint Arvans (FR), Frimeur de Lancray (FR), 6-1 Whoshotthesheriff (IRE), Tardree (IRE), 12-1 Niven (IRE), 18-1 Sword of Fate (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

PENCREEK and Saint Arvans have both enjoyed productive campaigns already and have a fitness edge over the bulk of their rivals, so they’re fancied to battle this out, with the former taken to prevail. Last year’s winner Whoshotthesheriff will presumably have been primed for this return, so he’s also worthy of consideration. TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.PENCREEK (FR) 2.SAINT ARVANS (FR) 3.WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF (IRE)

THE RESULT

1st.............................................................. 2nd ........................................................... Distance................................................... 3rd ........................................................... 4th ............................................................ Time .........................................................

The Renton Family will present a £50 cash prize to the lad or lass responsible for the Best Turned Out Horse in this race, and a memento to the owner, trainer and jockey of the winning horse.

Renton Family

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

SAFETY & SECURITY - KNOW THE RACEDAY/EVENT PLAN ACTIONS TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND ENHANCE RACECOURSE SECURITY

Arrive early and minimise what you carry which will speed up entry if bag searches are in operation. BE VIGILANT: If you see anything suspicious inform a racecourse member of staff immediately. If you see anything that could pose an immediate threat to safety, dial 999. In an emergency: if INSIDE a stand, follow the instructions of the public address system or staff. If OUTSIDE, our advice is RUN, HIDE & TELL. If told to evacuate do not wait around to film on your mobile. Follow instructions provided to help ensure your safety. Once away and safe, for advice and incident updates follow the local Police Force on Twitter. For additional information, check the racecourse website and social media. STAY ALERT - STAY SAFE Thank You for Your Co-Operation

BOBBY RENTON

The late Bobby Renton trained many winners from his base at Oxclose, near Ripon, including the 1950 Grand National winner, Freebooter. He also trained Red Rum before he became a household name. His long and distinguished training career lasted for some 50 years. He occasionally rode his own horses as an amateur rider, and he was a sprightly 75 years old when riding in his last race - a selling hurdle at Hexham on September 30th, 1963. He finished unplaced on Devon Peter, thereby being acknowledged as Britain’s oldest jockey!

Barbara’sStory

In1987,Barbarasufferedacervicalspinal cordinjuryattheC4/C5level,falling fromaswingwhenshewasjust11 yearsold. Withthistypeofinjury,shecan moveonlyhershouldersand bicepsalittle,aswellashertorso wheninherwheelchair.Shecan’t raiseherarmsandisdependent onothersforalltheactivitiesof dailyliving. “Ireallydohopetheresearch couldfindawaytomakeus recovertheuseofourupperlimbs atleast...justtoimaginegettingup anddressedbymyself,washingmyself,eating bymyself,holdinginmyarmsmylittlenephewgivesme chills.”

Becauseofherlimitedsensationandmovement,Barbara developedapressuresore10yearsagowhichrequiredherto stayinbedthemajorityofthedaytoletitheal.Pressuresoresnot onlycarryriskofinfection,butduetothefragilityofscartissue followinghealingtheycanlimitqualityoflifeconsiderably. SpinalResearchisfocusedonacceleratingthetreatmentsneeded torestoredignityandspontaneitytopeoplelikeBarbara.

Pleasedonatetodayandhelp changethefutureforBarbara.

SpeaktoamemberoftheSpinalResearch teamtofindouthowtomakeadonation

Tom was a titan of journalism & huge supporter of Yorkshire racing, and we were all greatly shocked and saddened as the news of his passing filtered through to us as we raced on Thursday 31st March this year. We have waited to honour Tom’s memory until today, the opening meeting of the Jump season that Tom so enthusiastically enjoyed. Our first without him. The following tribute has been beautifully penned by David Carr, from Racing Post. Forgive a note of sadness today, but there is something missing as we gather once more at Wetherby.Look up at the weighing room and you will see it. Or rather you won’t. Gone is the familiar and reassuring sight of Tom Richmond, without whom no meeting here has been complete for many a year. The steps down to the parade ring were home from home for the Yorkshire Post’s indefatigable racing correspondent, a place where he would beguile jockeys and trainers, owners and stewards, winning their confidence and luring them into a fascinating revelation with which to entertain his readers. But no more. Tom died suddenly in March, at the ridiculously young age of just 52. He was actually Opinion Editor at the YP and the trenchant way he expressed his views in print has been much spoken of in the days since his death, along with his even-handed manner with politicians and plumbers, bishops and bartenders. Yet you and I know that racing is far more important than his day job and so, you suspect, did Tom, who loved the sport with a passion. As he said when making the shortlist for Racing Writer of the Year at the Horserace Writers And Photographers Association Derby Awards in 2014, “To me, racing is special because of its human and equine heroes. They should never be taken for granted. “Without them, life would be very dull and those working in the sport should never tire of trying to promote racing’s more uplifting stories.” None worked harder to promote our sport in a county whose nine courses he knew so well, and many is the up-and-coming jockey or trainer who has particular reason to be grateful for a well-timed plug. Today Wetherby stage a race in Tom’s honour, and a memorial bench will be presented to his family, which will sit proudly outside the weighing room where he did so much fine work, and it would be no surprise were his old friends Sue & Harvey Smith, to be found in the months ahead, sitting on this bench plotting their next poignant victory!