15:25 Leicester
Thursday 7 December 2017
All12:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:25
Marston Trussell Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus  |  Class 5  |  1m 7f 113y  |  Soft  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:25Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 2.96s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has shown some promise in novices' company and now switches to handicaps for the first time. Goes on soft ground and interesting that in-form trainer opts for topweight in this grade, so a very competitive effort is anticipated.
Showed improvement in three hurdles runs last autumn, making the frame at Fakenham (2m, good). Entitled to need her return run after a year off, though 3lb drop unlikely to make too much difference today and looks best watched this time.
Won a Stratford maiden hurdle (2m½f, good) in October 2016 but in the grip of the handicapper over both hurdles and fences since. Could give him a squeak from this mark based on his best efforts, so not ruled out on second start for this yard.
Had shaped with promise on more than one occasion before coming good with a 7L win in a big-field Hereford handicap (2m3½f, good) last time. Carries 7lb penalty today and dropped in trip, but as the only recent winner in the field he is respected.
Runner-up in a soft ground Newbury handicap (1m4f) on the Flat in May from a mark of 72. Yet to show commensurate ability in five starts over hurdles and her 26L defeat from 5lb higher last time does not give cause for huge optimism today.
Won a maiden hurdle at Lingfield (2m3½f, heavy) last year, but handicapper has been in total control since then. Now on a very workable mark and he has run well when fresh before today, so with stable in form a market check would be prudent.
Was beaten 23L on his handicap debut at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last time, having already had a sighter earlier in October. Dropped 4lb going into this, but impossible to recommend on any form we have seen in public.
Last of his five wins came on soft at Chepstow (2m) in March from today's mark. Is of interest on that basis. Was entitled to need his recent reappearance after a break and should be capable of a competitive effort again this time.
Well held in all three hurdles runs so far and showing very little in the process. On a basement mark for this handicap debut and cheek pieces now fitted. Given his connections, a market check is suggested, despite his moderate profile.
Sole hurdles win came over C&D in 2013 and he had returned to this from chasing in his last few runs of 2016. Went close from this mark at Warwick when last seen. Long absence to overcome, but 10lb claim will help and market check advised.
Forecasts
Cougar Kid (15/8), Kalaskadesemilley (4/1), Don't Act Up (9/2), Does It In Style (5/1), Georgieshore (5/1), Methag (9/1), Visage Blanc (12/1), Karl Marx (20/1), Norse Castle (33/1), Lost In Newyork (33/1)
Lost In Newyork would be of some interest if the market speaks for him given the very useful 10lb claimed, but after such a long time off he may well need this and preference is for DON'T ACT UP on his handicap debut, despite topweight. Kalaskadesemilley is interesting on his second run for Johnny Farrelly, while Cougar Kid is an obvious danger after success last time and Karl Marx might do much better after a recent pipe-opener.
- Don't Act Up
- Cougar Kid
- Kalaskadesemilley
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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