July 28 / 13.57 Stratford

13.57

Good

Martyn And Maureen’s Diamond Anniversary Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4629.1
  • 2m 3f 98y
  • Class 4
  • 6 runners
  • Win time: 4m 43s
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Martyn And Maureen’s Diamond Anniversary Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 43P-21

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
With the cheekpieces joining the tongue-tie he edged home in a race that rather fell apart at Worcester (2m, good); 4lb rise not too bad and he stays this far, but a tendency to jump right is not ideal around here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

20th Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Worcester

Pencreek

12st 0lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

All wins between June and August and he has figures of 312 returning from over six months out, so won't necessarily need the run (has had wind surgery since last outing last October); trying to cash in on lower hurdles mark makes sense, and he's 3-7 under Luca Morgan.

7/1

3rd

7

27th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

15:15 Stratford

Pencreek

11st 8lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

prominent, dropped to midfield after 2nd, headway 8th, every chance when mistake 2 out, soon left in lead, ridden and headed home turn, soon weakened

9/2

2

12th Oct 2022

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

15:05 Wetherby

Pencreek

11st 5lb

J: Luca Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Much improved since fitted with cheekpieces in the summer, completing hat-trick at Market Rasen (2m3f, good); beaten 8l by sole rival at Stratford last time but the winner boosted the form by following up; has risen in the weights but has solid credentials.

9/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1455-4 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Steadily progressive hurdler and entitled to come on for his recent close fourth at Perth (2m, good); trip/ground look ideal for this switch to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:25 Musselburgh

Punxsutawney Phil

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over C&D in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) in February, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between and again on latest start but he was brought out quickly under a penalty in the latter; visor replaces his usual cheekpieces.

14/1

3

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Punxsutawney Phil

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won at Musselburgh (3m) in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) last Thursday, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between but he'd have a huge chance under this penalty if that form from last week (a narrow career best) is repeated.

2/1

3

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Punxsutawney Phil

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over 3m at Musselburgh in December (good to soft); rather disappointing in his two runs since and needs to bounce back.

16/1

Form: 42-P62 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler and his best run yet over fences when second over C&D a month ago (good); raced freely in front so it was a good effort; same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Aug 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

18:20 Stratford

Smiths Bay

11st 1lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Polly Gundry

jumped right on occasions, held up in behind leaders, went fourth after 10th, ridden home turn, went second before last, kept on but not pace to challenge

9/2

3rd

5

28th Jul 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

13:57 Stratford

Smiths Bay

10st 6lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Polly Gundry

led, ridden after 2 out, raced wide and headed home turn, weakened approaching last, went third towards finish

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: 52-313

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Made all in a tactical three-runner contest at Worcester (2m, good) but the second reversed those placings at Ffos Las; beaten 9l there off this mark but he might be ready for this longer trip now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

21st Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:09 Worcester

Fabrique En France

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Placed over fences at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft; wore cheekpieces) in April but ran poorly over same C&D a fortnight ago and now switches back to hurdles in new headgear; on good mark now but can't be trusted.

10/1

4th

3

6th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

14:45 Southwell

Fabrique En France

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won small-field chase off 10lb higher a year ago and looked back in good nick when travelling menacingly well for a long way over C&D in April; however, he ended up well held in third after a disappointing finishing effort on that latest outing and his overall profile remains unconvincing.

7/2

3rd

6

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

17:10 Southwell

Fabrique En France

11st 4lb

J: William Kennedy

T: Olly Murphy

midfield

9/1

Form: 876-33

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Useful form when second in a maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott; well-beaten third in two maidens for this yard but he should make a chaser and he's undergone wind surgery since last time; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

15:22 Uttoxeter

Fire Squadron

12st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: David Dennis

prominent, not fluent 3rd, shaken up with one circuit to go, soon lost position, not fluent 6th, soon in rear, ridden and got behind before 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out

25/1

5

4th Oct 2022

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:40 Huntingdon

Fire Squadron

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

in touch with leaders, fell 2nd

20/1

5th

3

28th Jul 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

13:57 Stratford

Fire Squadron

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

towards rear, not fluent and niggled along briefly 7th, slow jump and ridden 11th, mistake and lost touch 3 out, tailed off

10/1

Form: 40P-54

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Not far away over 2m1f here 18 days ago but he's now 0-23 and essentially frustrating; hood given a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

20th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 5

17:10 Stratford

Peckinpah

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Rob Summers

Very respectable fourth over C&D (good) on last summer's chasing debut but failed to complete his next two races and career strike-rate now stands at 0-25; has form on good and soft ground; others look safer.

20/1

9

23rd Apr 2023

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

14:45 Stratford

Peckinpah

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Rob Summers

always behind, pulled up after 3 out

16/1

6

28th Jul 2022

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

13:57 Stratford

Peckinpah

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Rob Summers

held up in last, mistake 4th, good jump and brief headway 9th, mistake and fell 10th

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.40
Straight Forecast £7.34
Trifecta £20.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Pencreek

RP Ratings:

Smith's Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Punxsutawney Phil

Daily Express:

Fire Squadron

The Times:

Punxsutawney Phil

WEST COUNTRY:

Smith's Bay

Daily Mirror:

Smith's Bay

POSTDATA:

Pencreek

Telegraph:

Pencreek

The Guardian:

Pencreek

Daily Mail:

Pencreek

The Sun:

Pencreek

The Star:

Pencreek

Daily Record:

Pencreek