13:40 Wetherby

Saturday 18 November 2017

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:2015:50

Dransfields CIU Charity Raceday Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 6m 15.54s

Early Retirement²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 119

9/4

Came good at Southwell in March (2m4½f, soft) and eclipsed that effort from 12lb higher on his reappearance over that C&D last time. Up another 7lb for that and stepped up in trip here, but very likely to stay and has claims in his hat-trick bid.

Form: U/0281-1

Western Rules⁶¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 118| BF

5/1

Looked a potentially useful hurdler in the 2015/16 campaign and won at Carlisle (2m3½f, heavy) in novices' company. Off since March 2016 and dropped 4lb. Wellbeing to prove, but trainer does well with those of similar profile. Check market.

Form: 021324/

Make Me A Fortune^p²³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: S Gollings| OR: 117

16/1

Without a win since March 2015 and reverts to hurdles here after 10 races without success over fences. 7lb lower today than that latest win and unproven over this far. Market may give us a clue as to whether he retains his old hurdling ability.

Form: P2P33F-

Allbarnone⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Garner⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 117

11/1

Sole win from 24 starts was over 2m6f at Cartmel (good) in May 2016. Still 4lb higher than that today. Would have claims if he could run to his best, but has not come close to that in 2017 and has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 9253-57

Little Bruce¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 115| C

9/2

Goes well here wins over 2m3½f and 2m5½f to his name at the track, the latter (in March) coming from 3lb lower. Worth another try at this trip and on ground that looks just about ideal he has claims.

Form: 1131-5P

Skipthescales^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 105

3/1

Was placed in a couple of novices' hurdles for Martin Todhunter. Improved on his debut for this yard when third, beaten 8½L, here over 2m5½f (good to soft) last time. Step up in trip ought to suit on pedigree, so could go very close from same mark.

Form: 3523-63

Silver Dragon^p⁵⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: C R King| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 93| C

25/1

Won this race in 2014 from a mark of 99 but struggled to repeat that form until last seen in March 2016, when a 12L winner over 3m3f at Sedgefield. 6lb higher than that mark on his return today but yet to win when fresh and probably best watched.

Form: 555PP/1-

Apachee Prince^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 90

11/1

3lb out of the handicap going into this, despite having won as recently as September at Perth (2m4f, good to soft). Form in two starts since then as well as previous efforts over 3m suggest that he will again be held this time.

Form: 452154

Non-Runners

Talkofgold⁵²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: M Todhunter J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Early Retirement (9/4), Skipthescales (3/1), Little Bruce (9/2), Western Rules (5/1), Talkofgold (10/1), Allbarnone (11/1), Apachee Prince (11/1), Make Me A Fortune (16/1), Silver Dragon (25/1)

Western Rules is an interesting runner here after a lengthy absence and a 3lb drop in the ratings. Money for him may well prove to be significant, while Skipthescales and Little Bruce should both be thereabouts for Phil Kirby. However, preference is for top weight EARLY RETIREMENT. Caroline Bailey's five-year-old resumed well with a second Southwell win last time and may well be able to find enough improvement over this longer trip to defy another 7lb rise. Talkofgold is another who should be involved at the business end, while keep an eye on the market with regard to Make Me A Fortune, who has won from 7lb higher.