16:55 Stratford
Thursday 3 August 2017
All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55
All New racinguk.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 6f 7y  |  Good (Good to firm in places)  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:55Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 17.4s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Bumper winner, defied opening handicap mark to score in good fashion over this sort of trip at Cartmel recently. The front pair were a long way clear and a 7lb penalty may not halt him with trainer currently operating 29% strike rate.
Ten-year-old with seven chase wins under his belt, time appears to be catching up on recent evidence and well beaten off last month on first start for this trainer over fences at Market Rasen.
Returned from close to two years off the track with fair efforts in novice/maiden hurdles this summer. Goes handicapping now for the first time and while there's a chance of more to come, the assessor hasn't taken any undue risks.
Nine-race maiden over hurdles but decent effort at Worcester last time out and drops another 1lb in the ratings for this. Not dismissed out of hand though has to find a bit more.
Bumper winner at the track last year but yet to convince in hurdling efforts and went out like a light when last spotted at Southwell in June over 3m. Down in trip.
Thriving since switched to this yard, winning handicap hurdles at Uttoxeter over 2m3f and 2m7f, shoulders another 7lb on the back of winning effort 57 days ago but has to be of interest again having done that smoothly.
Unplaced thus far in 15 starts on the Flat/ over jumps, best effort over hurdles came at Fontwell in May over 2m5f (good to firm) but poor again since at Worcester upped in trip and plenty to prove now.
Mare has not convinced over hurdles in 12 starts, with efforts this year in particular given her major improvement to find. Hard to build any sort of case after laboured Uttoxeter effort in June over this sort of trip.
A 13-race maiden over timber but posted pair of improved efforts at Newton Abbot, including over 2m5½f, when twice taking runners-up spot. Could easily be in the money again with replication of those efforts.
Very mediocre hurdler, ran slightly better race at Cartmel in June over much shorter trip, still has work to do on that evidence and stamina to prove over this journey.
Non-Runners
9
Top Of The Rocks37
Weight: 10-6|Â Â Age: 4
T: Mrs K Stephens  J: Ian Popham
NR
Forecasts
Cougar's Gold (2/1), Eddy (4/1), Chantecler (15/2), Starlit Night (8/1), Loughview Laddie (8/1), Beautiful People (9/1), Top Of The Rocks (12/1), Guerrilla Tactics (14/1), En Joule (16/1), Charlie Parker (25/1), Brody Bleu (33/1)
COUGAR'S GOLD showed much-improved form making a successful handicap debut at Cartmel last month and could have more to come. He showed a good attitude to fend off his main rival and, with the pair have drawn a long way clear, the penalty he carries here might not ground his ambitions. Eddy rates a lively danger having also improved markedly since joining current trainer, with a brace of wins at Uttoxeter already. They looks the most likely duo, with Chantecler and Starlit Night possibly ready to battle for minor money.
- Cougar's Gold
- Eddy
- Chantecler
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
