15:40 Hereford

Monday 29 January 2018

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Darren Linn Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 6m 38.4s

Houblon Des Obeaux^p²³

Age: 11| Weight: 12-7| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 142| BF

7/1

Dour, mud-loving stayer who was good enough to win a Grade 2 event two years ago. Dug deep to win a 3m veterans race at Sandown on his reappearance but twice found wanting there since. No margin for error under a big weight.

Form: 840-166

Scotchtown²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133

5/1

Twice a winner in novice hurdles last season and has begun solidly over fences this term, though not foot-perfect when beaten around 11L behind Another Venture at Chepstow last time. Capable of better, merits consideration.

Form: 227-425

Goodtoknow^v1¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 133| CD

13/2

Useful stayer at his best, as he proved when winning this race 12 months ago on bottomless ground (4lb higher mark). Finished 13th in last year's Grand National but has struggled in the face of some tough tasks this term. Visor reached for.

Form: 1P0-UPP

Firebird Flyer²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 130

25/1

Won a Listed chase at Uttoxeter in 2016 but very disappointing for the majority of last season. Seasonal reappearance over hurdles was more encouraging but he was a mid-race faller back over fences at Chepstow.

Form: PP8P-3F

Spookydooky^t²⁸⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| DWS

20/1

Had some good novice form but was clobbered in the ratings as a result and it's over two years since he last won a race. Unraced since April but interesting to see how he fares on first run since undergoing wind surgery.

Form: 68837P-

Another Venture²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: M Hamill⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 128

15/8

Hurdles winner who is improving steadily over fences, confirming his liking for testing conditions when winning gamely over 3m at Chepstow recently. More to do from 5lb higher but likely there is more to come.

Form: 10-5261

Regal Flow³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 126| D

15/2

Experienced campaigner who seems to be getting better with age, as evidenced by a career-best win over 3m1f (heavy) at Wincanton on Boxing Day. Raised 3lb but likely to put in another bold bid.

Form: U12-391

Streets Of Promise^p³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 122

8/1

Really hit form around this time two years ago when winning a hurdle and a couple of chases in quick succession. Moderate subsequent form has now seen her slip back below her last winning mark so no forlorn hope.

Form: 1/3P3-94

Forecasts

Another Venture (15/8), Scotchtown (5/1), Goodtoknow (13/2), Houblon Des Obeaux (7/1), Regal Flow (15/2), Streets Of Promise (8/1), Spookydooky (20/1), Firebird Flyer (25/1)

Goodtoknow captured an arguably weaker renewal of this race 12 months ago but the fact that he now races off a 4lb lower mark reflects his current form, though a first-time visor may spark him back into life. For all that, recent winners Regal Flow and Another Venture make more appeal, though any value may lie with SCOTCHTOWN. Nigel Twiston-Davies' lightly-raced six-year-old wasn't at his best when 11L in arrears of Another Venture at Chepstow last time but re-opposes on 7lb better terms and gives the impression there may another level in him.