Racecards
13:45 Towcester
John Gronow Is 60 Today Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
- Form 21183-4
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey P C O'Neill
made all, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well
- Form 411P14-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer John R Upson
- Jockey C Poste
prominent, lost place and mistake 5th, jumped left from 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 52234-1
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer C Llewellyn
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
prominent, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, weakened last
- Form 07-12FU
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 5P5P2-1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey J W Farrelly
held up, mistake 3rd, headway 5th, jumped slowly 7th, ridden after 9th, eased when beaten after 2 out, shaken up flat to take 2nd post
Verdict
Bay Island gets the confident vote here with Fill The Bunker and Herecomestanley rating the main dangers. The selection won with a little in hand over course and distance last time out when beating Blazing Hills and although having a penalty for that win he could still be ahead of the handicapper. He has similar conditions here and he is taken to win again. Fill The Bunker rates the main danger on his best form but he has been let down by his jumping of late so can not be put forward with any confidence. Herecomestanley is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he just gave the impression he was in the handicappers grip when second behind Cool Roxy last time and he looks opposable on that basis. Of the rest, What'sonyourmind is unexposed over fences so could be on a handy mark and with his yard in top form he should be watched in the market. However, for the winner we are happy to return to the course specialist Bay Island.
Formwatch
The Outlier (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Held up, effort and hit 3 out, soon no extra, 4th of 8, 23l behind Abragante (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 12th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 14l behind Coursing Run (11-2) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar.
Bay Island (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway 10th, went 2nd 13th, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Blazing Hills (11-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Fill The Bunker (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-5) Led until blundered and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Neysauteur (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 5 ran.
What'sonyourmind (IRE) 3-1 (10-2) In touch, lost place 7th, headway 9th, led 10th, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Talikos (11-6) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Herecomestanley 13-2 (11-10) Held up, headway 14th, chased winner 2 out, soon every chance, faded flat, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Cool Roxy (11-1) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd.
Onyourheadbeit (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Raced wide, in touch, ridden and lost place after 14th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Another Club Royal (11-4) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr, 12 ran.