7 minute read
4TH RACE
THE WILLIAM HILL ROWLAND MEYRICK HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE)
for four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £50000
Owners Prize Money. Winner £21790; Second £8945; Third £4475; Fourth £2235; Fifth £1120; Sixth £560. (Penalty Value £28475) Weights raised 2lb and paragraph 34 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable.
Trifecta rollover race
FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK
| FACTS | FANCIES | FORM | STATS |
Leading course trainer (17-22): D Skelton (49 wins from 170 runners, 29%) runs SHAN BLUE Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): N Henderson (5 wins from 20 runners, 25%) runs CHANTRY HOUSE Longest Traveller: LOSTINTRANSLATION trained by J Tizzard, Sherborne, 291 miles.
RACE DESCRIPTION This is a three miles handicap steeple chase for four-year-olds and upwards. 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 FANION D’ESTRUVAL (FR) (30) 41234-0
7 12-0
B g Enrique - Urfe d’Estruval (FR) Owner: Mr David Wilson Breeder: Marie-Francoise Le Gentil Jockey: Miss Lucy Turner (5) Trainer: Venetia Williams, Hereford Sponsor: Faucets Limited
TIMEFORM VIEW Improved performer last season, taking 2 1/2m handicap at Newbury and matched that next 2 starts, third in Grade 1 Ascot Chase. Looked rusty and never figured on return in Coral Gold Cup on return but he’s undoubtedly a very smart performer on his day. Not ruled out. Star RatingHHHII BHA 159 2 CHANTRY HOUSE (IRE) (23) 1/1P1P-U C D
8 11-13
Br g Yeats (IRE) - The Last Bank (IRE) Owner: Mr John P. McManus Breeder: M. Conaghan Jockey: Robert Dunne Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Lambourn
TIMEFORM VIEW High-class chaser at his best who added to his tally in Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January. Pulled up in Gold Cup next start and got no further than the fourth on return/following wind op in the Many Clouds at Aintree 3 weeks ago. This should reveal more. Star RatingHHHII BHA 158 3 SOUNDS RUSSIAN (IRE) (23) 1112-14
7 11-12
B g Sholokhov (IRE) - Reevolesa (IRE) Owner: Claxby & Co Breeder: Noel O’Brien Jockey: Callum Bewley Trainer: Ruth Jefferson, Malton Sponsor: Brocksbushes Limited
TIMEFORM VIEW Hasn’t looked back since sent over fences, finding further progress to gain fourth success on return at Kelso (26f) in October. Creditable fourth (without looking likely winner) in Many Clouds Chase at Aintree 23 days ago and he’s a player returned to handicaps despite career-high mark. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 157 4 AYE RIGHT (IRE) (30) 5130-2P D
B g Yeats (IRE) - Gaybric (IRE) Owner: Geoff and Elspeth Adam Breeder: Patrick Cashman
9 11-11
Jockey: Edward Austin (5) Trainer: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford, Jedburgh Sponsor: Tote
TIMEFORM VIEW Very smart chaser who landed the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last winter. Overfaced in Gold Cup final start but quickly back to best when second on return at Kelso (26f) in October. Rare poor display in this year’s renewal of first-named race but likely type to bounce back. Star RatingHHHII BHA 156 5 KALASHNIKOV (IRE) (648) 05/0234/- C
9 11-10
Br g Kalanisi (IRE) - Fairy Lane (IRE) Owner: Mr Paul Murphy Breeder: Sunnyhill Stud Ltd Jockey: Jack Quinlan Trainer: Amy Murphy, Newmarket Sponsor: Amy Murphy Racing Ltd
TIMEFORM VIEW Without a win since landing Grade 1 event at Aintree in 2018/19 but has run some good races in defeat since, third in the Denman Chase at Newbury during early 2021. Fourth in Ryanair Chase of that season but he’s been absent since. Star RatingHHHII BHA 155 6 SPORTING JOHN (IRE) (58) FP/141-4 D BF
7 11-6
B or Br g Getaway (GER) - Wild Spell (IRE) Jockey: Richie McLernon Owner: Mr John P. McManus Trainer: Philip Hobbs, Minehead Breeder: Stephanie Hanly
TIMEFORM VIEW Grade 1 novice chase winner who didn’t kick on in this sphere during early 2021. However, firmly back on track when landing 2 of his 3 starts in staying handicap hurdles last winter and he may well come on for his return fourth in a Grade 2 hurdle here in October. Star RatingHHHII BHA 151 7 SHAN BLUE (IRE) (261) 252/F62- CD
8 11-3
B g Shantou (USA) - Lady Roberta (IRE) Owner: Mr Colm Donlon Breeder: Desmond Amond Jockey: Sean Quinlan Trainer: Dan Skelton, Alcester Sponsor: Ladbrokes, The Air Ambulance Service (Warwickshire & Northamptonshire)
TIMEFORM VIEW Top-class chaser at best (Betfair Chase winner and third in Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2019/20). Lost his way after an Ascot reappearance win last season but best not judged too harshly on last month’s return in Coral Gold Cup (inconvenienced by standing start). Cheekpieces back on. Star RatingHHHII BHA 147 9 ZANZA (IRE) (30) P0P-621
B g Arcadio (GER) - What A Bleu (IRE) Owner: Louisville Syndicate Elite Breeder: Larry Doyle
8 10-13
Jockey: Micheal Nolan Trainer: Philip Hobbs, Minehead Sponsor: Philip Hobbs Racing
TIMEFORM VIEW Ran poorly on reappearance but back over fences, ran well when runner-up over 19.4f here on his penultimate run prior to enhancing his excellent record at Newbury (22.4f) 4 weeks ago. More on his plate in this stronger affair from 10lb higher now, though.Star RatingHHHII BHA 144 10 TOP VILLE BEN (IRE) (48) F312P-3 CD
10 10-13
B g Beneficial - Great Decision (IRE)
Jockey: Thomas Dowson Owner: Harbour Rose Partnership Trainer: Philip Kirby, Richmond Breeder: Edward Prendergast & Mrs Helen Gillman Sponsor: Topspec Equine Ltd
TIMEFORM VIEW Very capable hurdler/chaser on his day who won this back in 2019 and best effort since over fences when third 12 months ago. Tasted success over hurdles thereafter and he comes here having showed plenty of zest when third on return over timber in November. Star RatingHHHII BHA 144 11 WINDSOR AVENUE (IRE) (30) P1PP-P4 D
10 10-12
B g Winged Love (IRE) - Zaffarella (IRE) Owner: Phil & Julie Martin Breeder: Miss J. A. Buchanan Jockey: Nathan Moscrop Trainer: Brian Ellison, Malton Sponsor: Brian Ellison Racing Limited
TIMEFORM VIEW Well served by fitting of blinkers when taking Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January. Pulled up next 3 starts (including on return) but bounced back to form when fourth in the Rehearsal at Newcastle 4 weeks ago. Task is to build on that now. Star RatingHHHII BHA 143 12 INTO OVERDRIVE (GB) (30) 4111-12 C D
7 10-11
B g Court Cave (IRE) - Lady Brig Owner: Mrs Wendy Hamilton Breeder: Mr & Mrs Michael Hamilton Jockey: Jamie Hamilton Trainer: Mark Walford, Sheriff Hutton Sponsor: Mark Walford Racing
TIMEFORM VIEW Different proposition over fences, completing the 4-timer on reappearance run here (19.4f) in October. Improved further when beaten only by L’Homme Presse in the Rehearsal 4 weeks ago and he remains very much one to be interested in. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 142
DECLARED RUNNERS 12 2021: GOOD BOY BOBBY (IRE) 8 11 8 Sam Twiston-Davies 4-1 (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 9 ran
Hood worn by No. 10. Blinkers worn by No. 9. Tongue Strap worn by No. 5, 8, 12. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 8. Stewards Note: AYE RIGHT: Following its run on 26/11/2022 it was reported that the trainer could not explain the poor run. Probable S.P’s: 7-2 Shan Blue (IRE), 7-1 Into Overdrive (GB), 15-2 Sounds Russian (IRE), 11-1 Fanion d’Estruval (FR), Chantry House (IRE), Aye Right (IRE), 14-1 Kalashnikov (IRE), Sporting John (IRE), Lostintranslation (IRE), Zanza (IRE), 22-1 Top Ville Ben (IRE), Windsor Avenue (IRE)
PLAY SMARTER
SHAN BLUE was in the process of delivering one of the most visually impressive displays in the Charlie Hall’s recent history when falling 3 out on return last winter and, whilst unable to build on the promise of that run in 2 starts thereafter, he’s well worth another chance to prove his mark of 148 a lenient one on return for his leading yard. Into Overdrive and Sounds Russian are 2 upwardly mobile chasers and rate live dangers, whilst Sporting John is another to keep an eye on. TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.SHAN BLUE (IRE) 2.INTO OVERDRIVE 3.SOUNDS RUSSIAN (IRE)
THE RESULT
1st..............................................................
GREAT BRITISH BONUS SCHEME
The Great British Bonus (GBB) offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000
per eligible race for British-bread fillies and mares.
William Hill will present a cash prize of £50 to the stablehand responsible for the Best Turned Out Horse in this race. They will also present a memento to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.
