Call Star Sports On 0800 521321 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 9.64s

Shanroe Saint²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case| OR: 123

2/1

Much improved effort on second start in handicap company earns him a 3lb rise in the weights. That seems fair enough in this company and the stiff track will bring his stamina to the fore.

Form: 362593

Doc Carver²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 121

1/1

Irish point-to-point winner who has been progressing over hurdles. Finished well clear of the third last time and split a pair of future winners rated 130 and 128 on previous start. Clearly well-handicapped on that evidence.

Form: 219-522

Apache Song³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 118

12/1

Took advantage of a good tactical ride to land a slowly run race at Market Rasen. Not disgraced on either start since, but suspected she is better on quicker ground than expected here.

Form: 23-126

Lettheriverrundry^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell| OR: 117| CD

9/1

Improved for the fitting of a tongue-tie on penultimate start, but he was too keen last time on ground softer than ideal. Conditions will be even worse here and that is a major concern.

Form: P-02P24

The Game Is A Foot²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 113| D

12/1

Completed a hat-trick in lower grades before coming up short off this revised mark at Lingfield on Tuesday. He was weak in the market then and never travelled well so hard to fancy just 48 hours later.

Form: 7-41114

Forecasts

Doc Carver (1/1), Shanroe Saint (2/1), Lettheriverrundry (9/1), The Game Is A Foot (12/1), Apache Song (12/1)

Ground conditions will not be favourable for either Lettheriverrundry or Apache Song and so this should be fought out between the two topweights. Shanroe Saint had shown some ability in novice company and took a big step forward in a competitive event at Leicester last time. The handicapper has reacted accordingly and in so doing has limited his chances of denying DOC CARVER a first success under rules. The Irish import is undeniably well-handicapped having chased home an unbeaten hurdler last time and previously splitting a useful pair who have since landed another three races between them. That effort suggests he may be 7lb "well in" and makes him difficult to oppose.