Despite the intermittent showers there was a good crowd at Stratford for a decent six race card, even though the meeting began and ended with heats being won by very short priced favourites.

Johnny Bissett was sent off the 2/5 jolly in the first and David Arbuthnot’s charge was settled just behind the leaders by Paddy Brennan before running on before two out to win by 2¾ lengths from Wujood who looked as though he was going to launch a serious challenge coming to the last. The only other horse that was backed was the 4/1 shot Right Option but the geldings challenge ended at the fourth as he fell and deposited Tom Scudamore on the deck.

The other long shot Winter Star, sent off at 2/9 won by a convincing nine lengths in the finale, although not many punters remained to watch the facile victory. The Evan Williams trained gelding tracked the leader Duggan’s Forge before taking up the running as they entered the back straight for the final time. The long time leader held on for second place from the fast finishing Millards Lad, who was sent off the 11/2 second favourite.

There was some off track excitement during the first race when one of the support vehicles dived headlong into a ditch – luckily the driver emerged unscathed, which is more than can be said for the car.

The second race went to the course specialist Pips Assertive Way who led almost from pillar to post. The mare was headed after the last but bravely rallied on to win by ¾ length from the favourite Prince Vector with Santera a nose further back in third.

Trainer Tony Carroll speaking after the race said, “This is her third course win and that is down to the fact that she is a bad traveller and this is the closest track to the yard.”   

Tony Carrol had a double later on when It Is Me took the 2 mile handicap hurdle in another front running performance.

In a cracking finish the gelding held off the late challenge of Nortonthorpe Lad.

The winner is likely to be sent over the bigger obstacles in future as there are few opportunities over hurdles.

 In the 2m 7f chase Masterpoint, trained by Banbury based permit holder Richard Harper, took the race under a patient ride by Aidan Coleman. Tracking the leaders he went for the lead turning into the home straight and held off a determined challenge from Festival King in the closing stages.

The other chase on the card went to Inmate, ridden by Shamus Durack. Leading for most of the race he was headed by the favourite Laoch Dubh who looked to have made a winning challenge down the back straight. However Inmate rallied bravely as the two battled coming down the home straight.  

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Non-Runners

3:10
6 Robbie Will
10 Art Gallery

3:45
10 Baileys Best

4:50
2 Najca De Thaix
4 Charge It

Results

2:35

1st 5 Johnny Bissett 2/5 fav
2nd 11 Wujood 14/1
3rd 7 Look Supreme 33/1
14 Ran
Distances 2 3/4L & 1 1/4L
Tote
Win £1.40
Place £1.02 £3.30 £8.90
Exacta £6.80

3:10

1st 9 Pips Assertive Way 8/1
2nd 5 Prince Vector 2/1 fav
3rd 15 Santera 10/1
15 Ran NR's 6 & 8
Distances 3/4L and nose
Tote
Win £11.00
Place £1.90 £1.60 £2.80
Exacta £21.30

3:45

1st 6 Masterpoint 10/1
2nd 9 Festival King 4/1
3rd 11 Cleverality 18/1
11 Ran NR 10
Distances neck & 4L
Tote
Win £11.80
Place £2.80 £2.10 £5.40
Exacta £70.80

4:15

1st 2 Is It Me 12/1
2nd 7 Nortonthorpe Lad 5/1
3rd 1 Lord Baskerville 16/1
10 Ran
Distances Short Head & 23L
Tote
Win £15.90
Place £2.40 £1.30 £3.80
Exacta £58.90

4:50

1st 7 Inmate 16/1
2nd 1 Laoch Dubh 5/6 fav
7 Ran NR's 2 & 4
Distances 2 3/4L
Tote
Win £18.60
Place £6.50 £1.10
Exacta £70.30

5:25

1st 1 Winter Star 2/9 fav
2nd 3 Duggan's Forge 28/1
3rd 5 Millards Lad 11/2
8 Ran
Distances 9L & 7L
Tote
Win £1.30
Place £1.02 £4.10 £1.10
Exacta £8.60