15:20 Leicester
Sunday 3 December 2017
All12:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:20
Stonesby Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 110y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 15 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 8.45s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Point-to-point winner in Ireland, ran well at a big price in Warwick novice hurdle in October and gained a steep opening mark as a result. Held in handicap bow back there last month (2m, good to soft), carries top weight but does have 7lb claimer.
Won a 2m7f good ground handicap hurdle off 108 at Worcester in June 2016 but found things a struggle since (just six runs) off increased mark. Well beaten at that track in September. Cheekpieces are added this time.
Appears to have had a setback or two judged on frequency of trips to the racecourse, winner of a novice hurdle at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) in October 2016, could be a factor here with a recent run behind him.
All bar one of his previous eight runs have been at Market Rasen, including a win over 2m2½f in March under today's rider. Not exactly consistent since but now back on that winning mark again.
No win since July 2015 (has switched stables since), and difficult to fancy on the back of resounding defeats at Chepstow and Cheltenham this autumn, despite 3lb relief from the assessor.
Been busy on the Flat this year without getting his head in front, previous figures over jumps read B/UP and hard to fancy on first hurdles run since March, despite fact he's gone close from similar ratings in the past.
Plenty merit on return to action at Plumpton last month after more than 900 days off, finishing 13L fourth of eight. Runs off the same mark here and there could be more to come having been supported for that return.
Became expensive to follow from previous yard and tailed off on return/debut for this trainer last month at Kempton (2m, good) in conditionals event. Best watched for now seemingly.
Won a much weaker race at Uttoxeter two starts ago before never really getting involved at Exeter latest. Has never won off a mark this high and more needed.
Dual bumper winner with a habit of going well this time of year. Won at Doncaster in novice hurdle a year ago, though not so good since, including in handicaps. Beaten 23L at Wetherby last month (2m, good to soft) and work to be done.
Well held on handicap debut at Ludlow (2m5f, good) coming back from 10 months off last month, remains lightly-raced and has shown an odd glimpse of promise but needs first-time hood to bring about improved effort.
A 20-race maiden under both codes but suited to soft ground and potentially well-handicapped in relation to his Flat mark. A tendency to hang under pressure raises doubts about his attitude but he holds good place claims.
Unplaced in six starts over timber so far, was moving nicely at Warwick (2m3f, good) in May when last spotted until blundering three out and fading. Fitness to prove here and does have improvement to find.
Flat winner but no hints he'll score in this sphere so far in 11 attempts. Returned from a break with poor effort at Plumpton (2m4½f, good to soft) in October and new headgear will need to have a dramatic effect.
Much-improved effort to score at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) a week ago over fences, must prove he can transfer that form to this discipline but would hold fair claims in this contest if able to do so.
Forecasts
Knocknamona (9/2), Western Wave (6/1), Bowie (7/1), Megabucks (15/2), Kincora Fort (8/1), Mahlerdramatic (8/1), Robert's Star (10/1), Maroc (10/1), Samson (14/1), Friendship Bay (14/1), Gran Maestro (16/1), Ivanhoe (20/1), The Blue Bomber (25/1), Primo Blue (33/1), Chivers (33/1)
Micky Hammond's team are in super form (7-31, 23% strike rate lately) and Knocknamona showed much improved form to score over fences at Uttoxeter a week ago. He'll be a big threat if transferring that form to hurdles but he isn't exactly thrown in at these weights and reverting to the smaller obstacles doesn't always work out. Western Wave has perhaps not been the easiest to train but he's worth noting in the betting after a run at Exeter last month while the returning Friendship Bay could go well given he was showing a bit more before a late jumping error undid him at Warwick in May. KINCORA FORT was coming back from a very long layoff at Plumpton last month and was backed for that race. He looked in need of the run, unsurprisingly, and has been given time to get over that effort. Having won off this mark before, the lightly-raced eight-year-old should go close in a finale without a standout contender.
- Kincora Fort
- Friendship Bay
- Knocknamona
Prize Money
1st: £6,330.002nd: £1,870.003rd: £935.004th: £468.005th: £234.00
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