16:10 Stratford

Sunday 23 April 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

totepoolracing For Live Racing News Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 3m 56.70s

Boston De La Roche¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

5/1

Ran into some decent novices last season when with David Loder. Made debut for current yard after a year's absence and never got competitive. Has looked better than that and should come on for the run.

Form: 564/44-5

Starlight Court⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

4/1

Drops in trip having disappointed last time at Southwell. Best form has been on softer ground but stable jockey opts for him in preference to their other two.

Form: 5/44322-

Middlebrow^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 108

10/3

Has been running to a consistent level this season. Yard have not found the key to him and he continues to look one paced. Not sure this trip, on a track as sharp as this, will help. Nevertheless, his form and profile suggest he won't be far away.

Form: 135332

The Way You Dance^p²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: S Corby⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 108

10/1

Picked up a couple of summer races last year before an error strewn round at Huntingdon in October. Given a break thereafter and will be fitter for a recent run on the AW. Only 3lb higher than for a cosy win at Worcester and good young rider takes the mount.

Form: 481143-

Elysian Prince⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: N B King| OR: 106

11/4

Has been in good form on the AW during the winter. Finally opened his account over hurdles last week but may have been fortunate to do so (Skelton trained favourite blundered at the last). Nevertheless, that was a much improved display and this is not a strong race. Yard are 4-12 in the past 14 days.

Form: 442681

Our Three Sons²²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Page Fuller⁽⁷⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 105

8/1

Off the track since September. Has been forcing the pace whilst finding little once headed. Finished clear of the third at Bangor in August, but the winner has been poor since. Open to improvement but others make more appeal.

Form: 273241-

Defining Year^t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Ian Popham| T: D Skelton| OR: 105

16/1

Won twice on the Flat in Ireland but remains winless from nine attempts over hurdles. No improvement evident for move to respected new yard when beaten in a seller last time.

Form: 3P/057-5

Jamesgiftkeysandal^h²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Thomas Garner⁽³⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 91

66/1

Has been beaten by wide margins on all starts and no improvement spotted for switch to better ground last time. Makes handicap debut and assessor appears to have taken no chances.

Form: 8000

Forecasts

Elysian Prince (11/4), Middlebrow (10/3), Starlight Court (4/1), Boston De La Roche (5/1), Our Three Sons (8/1), The Way You Dance (10/1), Defining Year (16/1), Jamesgiftkeysandal (66/1)

A case can be made for most in this including the Dan Skelton trio. Boston De La Roche looks the type who is capable of better whilst Defining Year and Starlight Court need to improve on their latest efforts. Elysian Prince finally produced a hurdling performance in line with his Flat credentials but was a shade fortunate to win. THE WAY YOU DANCE arrives on a fair mark judged by last summer's form when winning with something to spare at Worcester and Newton Abbot. His in form stable tuned him up for this with a recent run on the AW. Middlebrow is never far away but has found a lack of pace a burden in the closing stages. He can make the frame again here.