16:30 Leicester

Tuesday 10 October 2017

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

Red Deer Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 1m 14.92s

(7)

Joey's Destiny¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: D Nolan| T: K Frost| OR: 72| CD

20/1

Won on the AW at Wolverhampton in July, but disappointing since, including on latest run when making first start for this trainer. Reverts to turf with questions to answer.

Form: 381060

(11)

Storm Melody²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Fran Berry| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 72| D

6/1

Returned to form when second at Bath last time. Has been raised 2lb for that effort which is not ideal, but he acts well on this sort of ground and has decent claims.

Form: 574452

(10)

Hindsight^h1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 71

16/1

Off the mark when landing an ordinary maiden at Lingfield, but failed to back up that win when fourth of seven in his first handicap over 6f. Down 1lb and has a hood fitted for the first time, so reasons to expect an improvement.

Form: 323614

(4)

Dodgy Bob^v¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Liam Jones| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 68| D

20/1

Won back-to-back 6f handicaps at Carlisle and Hamilton before finishing down the field off a much higher mark at Ripon. Initial reaction from that effort is that the assessor has halted his progress.

Form: 062110

(6)

Ocean Temptress^v¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jack Osborn⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 68| D

7/1

Made all when winning three handicaps in August and September. Well held at Goodwood last time, but has been dropped 4lb and has a chance if able to dominate.

Form: 211714

(1)

The Groove¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Manuel Fernandes⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 67| BF

13/8

Landed a 1m handicap at Salisbury last month before finishing second off higher marks in 7f and 7½f contests at Ffos Las and this track. Up another 2lb, but is in good heart and likes cut in the ground. Drop in trip is the main worry.

Form: 594122

(5)

Fintech^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Adam Beschizza| T: Mrs I G-Leveque| OR: 67

12/1

Has shown clear signs of ability in three maidens and now makes his first appearance in a handicap. Seemed to handle this type of ground last time and is an interesting contender.

Form: 574

(9)

Faulkwood^v1⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P J O'Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 65

25/1

Showed ability in a maiden at York as a juvenile, but belated seasonal reappearance display at Southwell after being gelded was well below that standard. Wears a visor for the first time on his handicap debut and has to show he handles cut.

Form: 94-9

(8)

Cupid's Arrow²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 62| D

17/2

Won a soft-ground 6f handicap at Catterick in July and returned to something like that level when third of 12 over the same C&D last time. Runs off the same mark and should be thereabouts if translating that form to this track,

Form: 421303

(3)

Mad Endeavour^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Martin Lane| T: W S Kittow| OR: 59| D

14/1

Second of two wins on turf came at Epsom over a year ago, but he has won on the AW in the meantime. Not disgraced at Sandown last time and runs off 2lb lower. Each-way claims.

Form: 186484

(12)

Bold Spirit^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 58| D

12/1

Last three races at Catterick, one of which he won, have produced pleasing displays and he remains feasibly handicapped. Has to prove he can cope with ground as soft as is forecast, but is respected nevertheless.

Form: 938213

(2)

Percy Toplis^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Ryan Powell| T: Mrs C A Dunnett| OR: 45| D

100/1

Well over a year since his only win in 15 starts and not at his best of late. Has dropped down the weights, but he is 9lb out of the handicap which seems to scupper his hopes.

Form: 475055

Forecasts

The Groove (13/8), Storm Melody (6/1), Ocean Temptress (7/1), Cupid's Arrow (17/2), Bold Spirit (12/1), Fintech (12/1), Mad Endeavour (14/1), Hindsight (16/1), Dodgy Bob (20/1), Joey's Destiny (20/1), Faulkwood (25/1), Percy Toplis (100/1)

Most of these have shown an ability to handle the forecast soft ground. Fintech and Faulkwood are interesting on their handicap debuts, while cases can be made for Hindsight, Storm Melody, Ocean Temptress and The Groove. However, marginal preference is for CUPID'S ARROW, who ran well off this mark last time and should be thereabouts if replicating that effort. Mad Endeavour and Bold Spirit are also respected in an open contest.