15:20 Stratford

Thursday 24 August 2017

All13:4014:1514:4515:2015:5516:2516:55

Marion Ward 65th Birthday Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 35.4s

Back In Black³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Benjamin Poste⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 98

12/1

First run for new yard, and there is one piece of his Irish form that gives him some hope here but other than that, it makes for pretty poor reading and he hardly looks well handicapped either. Best watched until showing a bit more.

Form: 30-80

Jazz Thyme²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 98

5/2

Absolutely nothing wrong with his second to the improving Mr Caffrey here in July and she ran to that level again when second to the long odds-on Pat's Pearl at Bangor next time. Trip and likely ground fine and a repeat puts her in the firing line.

Form: 0354-22

Mr Mafia²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll| OR: 94

7/2

Just the one win from 25 starts rather tells it's own story, but has thrown some of his better efforts in here. May find this trip on the sharp side too, but chances of the places if on a going day.

Form: 25P-258

Scotsbrook Night^t³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: S Lycett| OR: 94

25/1

Lightly raced, and did do a little better when not beaten out of sight behind some useful sorts at Worcester last time. Goes into handicaps on a low mark and in a weak event, at least deserves a market check.

Form: 775-744

Pension Madness²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 88

11/2

Best recent effort came at Worcester in June when third to Sweeping Rock but that piece of form stands out like a beacon in a sea of moderate efforts either side of it. Usually finishes his races weakly and makes little appeal at present.

Form: 56-8379

Romann Angel⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 82

6/1

Best efforts this season, as they are, have both come at Bangor and even then, she's been well beaten at the finish. Fared little better in cheekpieces last time and hard to fancy.

Form: 452PP-5

The Lion Man^p¹¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 71

9/2

Still a maiden after 18 starts but often backed as if there's some ability there. On a rock-bottom mark now and back off a break, clearly not one to be trusted but equally no surprise if he ran better today.

Form: 4P67F-8

Non-Runners

Bitter Virtue⁵⁰

Weight: 12-2| Age: 6

T: David Dennis J: Aidan Coleman

Forecasts

Jazz Thyme (5/2), Mr Mafia (7/2), The Lion Man (9/2), Pension Madness (11/2), Romann Angel (6/1), Bitter Virtue (7/1), Back In Black (12/1), Scotsbrook Night (25/1)

In a modest event it looks best to stick with the in-form JAZZ THYME, doing little wrong at the moment and has been found a weak race to get off the mark in. The rest really are much of a muchness - maybe The Lion Man could go a bit better after a break, and this trip might suit him better than further. Mr Mafia hits the frame here more often than not and may do so again.