16:30 Perth

Wednesday 27 September 2017

All14:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

Weatherbys Private Bank Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 6m 31.40s

Sky Khan^p,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 128

8/1

Not always the most resolute and tends to go best at Market Rasen, but has placed form at this track and finished just over 4L third at Worcester latest (2m4f good) when shaping like he was worth trying over this trip.

Form: 502-8U3

Ahead of The Curve^p,t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 127| C| D

9/4

Looks stamina laden, and has done extremely well since joining this trainer, winning at Uttoxeter (2m6f good), and more recently here (2m4f soft). Raised 7lb and upped in trip, but the latter holds no fears on Point-to-Point winning form (3m).

Form: P1-2121

Tawseef²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124

17/2

Improved over hurdles since joining this trainer in mid June, winning twice at Cartmel, including in a valuable 3m1f+ handicap hurdle last month (good to soft). Beaten 7L by a stablemate at Sedgefield latest, and up another 3lb since.

Form: 889212

Landecker¹³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 120| BF

22/1

Loves Kelso (four time winner there), and was spotted finishing with his usual late rattle over 2m6f in early April. Beaten narrowly by the well backed Waterclock on his last start at Hexham in May, but returns rated 2lb higher now.

Form: 58235-2

Sun Cloud^p¹²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 119| CD

4/1

Better know for his exploits in long distance staying handicap chases, but was a winner over hurdles here in April (3m2f+ good) from a 4lb lower mark, so needs to enter the equation on his first start since May despite tackling a shorter trip.

Form: P32P1-4

Dawerann^p,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 117

11/1

Not won since December 2016 (2m4f at Punchestown), but not beaten all that far on three visits to this track since. He stays 3m, but didn't find too much off the bridle when 4¾L third to Ebony Rose latest, so whilst respected is opposed.

Form: 265323

Woodfort¹⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117

11/4

Looked a stayer when winning a Ffos Las bumper in October 2016 (2m soft), but has flattered to deceive over hurdles so far and is becoming a shade disappointing. That said, the stable enjoy a winner or two here and this is his handicap debut.

Form: 32U334-

Non-Runners

Solway Dandy³⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 10

T: Miss L Harrison J: Callum Bewley

Forecasts

Ahead of The Curve (9/4), Woodfort (11/4), Sun Cloud (4/1), Sky Khan (8/1), Tawseef (17/2), Dawerann (11/1), Solway Dandy (20/1), Landecker (22/1)

Susan Corbett must be pleased with what Ahead Of The Curve has produced since joining the yard for £24,000 in May, and this improving five-year-old gelding shouldn't be unduly concerned by this step up in trip and looks assured to be on the premises with conditions to suit. Landecker is another with both trip and ground conditions in his favour, but in addition to race fitness being a slight worry, he's yet to win anywhere else other than his beloved Kelso. So, in another open contest, a chance is taken that SUN CLOUD can cope with a drop in trip on his first start since May, and continue to exploit a hurdles handicap mark which remains 5lb below his current mark over fences (4lb higher than for his 3m2f course success in April 2017).