15:40 Towcester

Wednesday 11 October 2017

All14:0514:4015:1015:4016:1016:45

Heulwen Cook 70th Birthday 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 1.3s

Charlie Papa Lima^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: James Banks| T: H Whittington| OR: 107

11/2

Connections seemingly haven't quite discovered his best trip yet, and he's not really progressed in handicaps. However, time is on his side and a reproduction of his 1L second to Sweet Holly at Southwell (2m4½f good; June) sees him on the premises.

Form: 242345

Shady Glen^b,t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 104| D

4/1

Has done all of his winning over fences, and hasn't raced over hurdles since June 2016. Most reliable between 2m4f and 2m6f, so this trip on a stiff track is fine. Chasing mark high enough now, hence the switch to hurdles.

Form: 231224

Legal Ok^e/s,h⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: P J Brennan| T: S Edmunds| OR: 103

15/2

Dromahane point-to-point winner (3m good) in November 2016 who has led a varied career since joining his current connections. Still lightly raced under rules, but hasn't exactly impressed in terms of jumping (hurdles or fences) lately.

Form: 1839-8P

Good News¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 100

10/1

Yet to threaten to make his mark over hurdles in two attempts (maiden/novices), but heads off into handicap company for the first time in the hope that a slightly weaker event might bring about some improvement.

Form: 46-44

Shanksforamillion⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 100

3/1

Back from a lengthy break for new connections in rude health, and arrives seeking a four timer following a trio of summer Worcester victories (all 2m4f good). Up 9lb since his latest success and a stiffer track to contend with, but obvious claims.

Form: 368/111

Jonjoela²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: W Featherstone⁽⁵⁾| T: Tracey Leeson| OR: 95

40/1

Well beaten on all three starts since joining this trainer from the point-to-point field, and difficult to muster any real enthusiasm for her on her handicap debut. Might well need softer ground, but appears of very limited ability in any case.

Form: 2-1D44F

Plantagenet⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 90

5/2

Formerly with Mark Bradstock (went close at Kempton), but scored on both starts for current connections during August (2m7f good; Bangor and Worcester). 5lb higher than for his latest success, but a stiff track should counterbalance a drop in trip.

Form: PP24-11

Celestial Chimes²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 81

33/1

A five race maiden who has proved woeful so far, and has never really caught sight of the leaders in any of her four starts over timber. Nigh impossible to allocate her a handicap mark and needs a rapid improvement in order to have a racing future.

Form: 86-0F7

Western Dream⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 80

80/1

A 19 race maiden in point-to-points, so reasonable to expect a similar trend under rules, and sadly for connections that has proved to be the case. Impossible to consider.

Form: PP6F50

Forecasts

Plantagenet (5/2), Shanksforamillion (3/1), Shady Glen (4/1), Charlie Papa Lima (11/2), Legal Ok (15/2), Good News (10/1), Celestial Chimes (33/1), Jonjoela (40/1), Western Dream (80/1)

Both Shanksforamillion and PLANTAGENET have been much improved performers for their respective new connections. The former arrives seeking a four timer, but races away from his beloved Worcester, and whilst his form is relatively solid, this track provides a much different test. Therefore, strong preference is for the Mullins trained runner. Plantagenet isn't lacking for stamina, and this drop in trip is obviously a slight concern, but with ground conditions ideal and a 5lb rise for his latest Worcester success looking incredibly fair, this stiff track should hopefully help to counterbalance the drop in trip.