Racecards
12:10 Huntingdon
32Red Casino Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £4,800 added
- Winner: £3,119
- 2nd: £916
- 3rd: £458
- 4th: £229
- Form 1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J P Ferguson
- Jockey D F O'Regan
took keen hold, led, clear after 2nd until before 5th, headed approching 3 out, soon beaten, well held 2nd when mistake 2 out, fell last
Arthur's Oak
249- Form 3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, well held 3rd before next, left 2nd and hampered last
- Form 1-13
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, no impression approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
- Form 453/9
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer N B King
- Jockey T E Whelan
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened 3 out, left remote 3rd last
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up, took keen hold, behind from 3rd, tailed off when not fluent 3 out
- Form 5341-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey A Thornton
chased leader, closed before 4th, led approaching 3 out, clear from next, edged left flat, stayed on well
Verdict
MIJHAAR was a very useful performer on the Flat, though could be a little quirky. But he did nothing wrong on his hurdles debut at Doncaster, winning by seven lengths without coming off the bridle, and should be too good for these. Already successful in a point-to-point and a bumper, Gunner Fifteen was third on his hurdles bow over 2m4f at Chepstow. He should be in the frame again while Steel City can build on his second at Exeter. Star Date only managed one win on the level and may need today's experience.
Formwatch
Mijhaar 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st or 4th, led 5th, clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Lemony Bay (10-12) by 7l, 14 ran.
Arthur's Oak 10-3 (11-3) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Knock House (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Gunner Fifteen (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Led, joined 6th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd and weakened last, 3rd of 15, 25l behind Aubusson (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Jolly Valentine 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 16, 21l behind Wadswick Court (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Star Date (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, closing on 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Red Four (11-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f am hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct (flat).
Steel City 5-1 (10-12) In rear and in touch, chased winner before last, soon every chance, kept on and held toward finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Prideofthecastle (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Dec.
Civil War (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Rear of mid-division, headway early straight and 10th 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 6th of 22, 3 1/2l behind Ancient Sands (10-3) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Oct (flat).
Langham Lily (USA) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 12, 30l behind Run Ructions Run (10-10) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.