15:55 Leicester

Tuesday 10 October 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:2515:5516:3017:0017:30

Squirrel Handicap

Off time: 15:59 | Winning time: 2m 38.28s

(5)

Soldier In Action²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| D

10/1

Useful middle-distance performer who normally holds his own in competitive handicaps. Won over 1m6f on soft ground at Goodwood in the summer, edging out Blakeney Point, and although well held on his last two starts, he could well bounce back.

Form: 023105

(7)

Sumbal²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 106

9/2

Won three times in France on ground with plenty of give in it. Not disgraced in three outings since joining his current stable and should strip fitter after finishing third of four following a lay-off in a conditions race at Doncaster last time.

Form: 26564-3

(3)

Minotaur¹¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Fran Berry| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 103| D

25/1

Had a good strike rate of 6-14 on the Flat in France before joining his jumps stable for which he is a promising hurdler. Hard to get a handle on the value of his French form, but he has to enter calculations on this return to the level.

Form: 111221-

(4)

Blakeney Point^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 100| CD

10/3

Returned to winning ways when landing a valuable handicap last time, beating a horse who went on to win the Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. That form looks gilt-edged so he has to be a major contender off just 3lb higher.

Form: 044241

(1)

My Reward²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100

13/2

Benefited from a fine ride from the front when winning a valuable handicap at Chester two starts ago, but was well held off 4lb higher last time. Seems to prefer a sounder surface so others make more appeal.

Form: 154214

(6)

Dance The Dream¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: M Dwyer| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 96| CD

13/2

Has raced only twice since winning a handicap at this track last October and was behind Blakeney Point when sixth of seven at Newbury on his latest outing. Has a weight pull with that rival, but still has plenty to do.

Form: 3171-36

(2)

Night Of Glory¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 96

5/2

Useful form when trained in Ireland and latest of thee starts for current handler saw him finish second of seven in a decent handicap at Haydock. Up 1lb for that, but handles conditions and is respected in receipt of weight all round.

Form: 140702

Forecasts

Night Of Glory (5/2), Blakeney Point (10/3), Sumbal (9/2), Dance The Dream (13/2), My Reward (13/2), Soldier In Action (10/1), Minotaur (25/1)

Soldier In Action cannot be discounted despite his welter burden, while Minotaur is also respected given the form he showed in France and subsequent promise over hurdles. However, the ones to concentrate on may be Sumbal and BLAKENEY POINT, who boast useful recent form. The latter's defeat of a subsequent Group race winner reads particularly well and a repeat of that effort would surely see him go close.