Racecards
16:30 Stratford
Sweeep Kuusakoski Novices' Chase (Class 4)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm (Watered)
- Surface: Turf
- £5,800 added
- Winner: £3,769
- 2nd: £1,107
- 3rd: £553
- 4th: £277
- Form 2F1-F35
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leader, led when not fluent 3 out, driven and hard pressed last, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra
- Form 267-572
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer D G Bridgwater
- Jockey Jake Hodson
led, headed 3 out, outpaced next, ridden and kept on under pressure before last, no impression with front pair flat
- Form 56F4-6F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Lady Herries
- Jockey Tom Cannon
chased leading pair, jumped slowly 4th, dropped to rear 6th, lost touch, 8th, continued tailed off
- Form F11-123
- Age 6
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up 4th and last, went 3rd when not fluent 6th, outpaced 3 out, ridden between last 2, rallied to challenge last, led flat, kept on
Verdict
August Hill has already won three times over hurdles this year and possibly found 2m4f too far on her latest start. She'll go close in this if adapting to the larger obstacles as she has a 7lb mares' allowance and gets 13lb from WOODBANK. But Dan Skelton's charge has the ability to win this if returning to the form which saw him beat Dark Lover at Huntingdon in April - he's been taking on better opposition since. Academy General was second over track and trip last time but never threatened the winner and Just Archie may need more time.
Formwatch
Woodbank 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, mistake next, headway 8th, not fluent last, hung right and went 4th, no impression on leaders, lost 4th close home, 5th of 13, 8l behind It's A Gimme (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gs.
Academy General (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led, mistake and headed 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied last, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Princesse Fleur (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Just Archie (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in touch in rear, some progress and 10 lengths 6th when fell 4 out, in a race won by It's A Gimme (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jun, 8 ran.
August Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway from 6th, mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Aalim (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.