13:30
Belhaven Black Classic Handicap Hurdle
Class 4, 2m6f151y, Hurdle, 3yo+, Rated 0-120, 10 runners
Winning time 6m 13.98s
- Going
- Soft
- Surface
- Turf
- Jumps
- 12 hurdles
Result
Danny McMenamin
Chris Grant
Set the pace from the off - challenged from the 8th - urged forward before the second last - opened up nearing the final fence - driven out under vigorous handling - margin shortened in the closing stages but held on to score
Sean Quinlan
Martin Todhunter
Held mid-pack early - improved into 9th - up into third approaching 2 out - kept on from the rear and edged into second in the closing strides
Bruce Lynn
N W Alexander
Race close to leaders early - still involved from 8th out - urged forward but hit next-to-last awkwardly - unable to match winner's pace soon after - stayed on into the final furlong before giving up third close home
Sean Bowen
Peter & Michael Bowen
Tracked the front group early - dropped away after 3 out then found renewed effort near the last - stayed on at one speed to finish fourth
Conor O'Farrell
Jackie Stephen
Held up towards the back - driven up into contention before 2 out - unable to find more approaching the last - finished 5th beaten 14 lengths
Patrick Wadge
Sandy Forster
Pulled hard early - settled towards the back - made progress after 3 out to join the front group - couldn't quicken from the last
Jamie Hamilton
Ruth Jefferson
Jumped untidily at times - tracked the pace behind the front group early - roused for effort after the 9th and again before 2 out - beaten when faltering at the last
Ben Smith (7)
R Mike Smith
Sat close to the pace early - urged forward approaching 2 out - dropped away soon after - finished well beaten in 8th
Peter Kavanagh (3)
Lizzie Quinlan
Settled in the pack - pushed along nearing 2 out - dropped away soon after - finished well beaten in 9th
Craig Nichol
Ewan Whillans
Settled in mid-pack early - slipped towards the back by the 9th - fell away three furlongs out - well beaten at the finish
Non-runners: Captain Potter (travel problems), Kilbrainy (unsuitable ground)
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.