14:10 Towcester

Wednesday 14 February 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Sky Bet Britain's Most Popular Online Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 5m 23.2s

Gi Jayne^t¹²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 102WS

12/1

Placed over hurdles in Ireland but disappointing in two starts since joining this yard. Has had a wind operation since bursting blood vessels and pulling up at Worcester last time.

Form: 2-B709P

Edward Elgar^b³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: A Thornton| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 100

8/1

Plating class hurdler who has not looked a natural over fences. Reverts to the smaller obstacles here and drops to the grade which has brought all three of his successes. Goes well on this stiff track and forecast conditions offset his lack of pace.

Form: 32P630

Rock And Roll King¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 100

7/1

Has produced one good run over hurdles which came from the front in a slowly run affair. Not as good since but down in the weights and dropped in class. Needs to improve his jumping and the cheekpieces worn last time are removed.

Form: 453-47P

Goodnight Charlie^v¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 100| CD

8/1

Has won three of her five starts since the application of a visor including two here. Handles any ground and may have needed the run last time.

Form: 318-110

Cafe Au Lait^p,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 99| BF| CD

7/4

Has won here previously on testing ground and has been going well enough lately to gain a deserved success in this. Finished clear of the third last time when just failing to capitalise on a 3lb lower mark.

Form: 37-3222

Justice Knight²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 96

12/1

Can be too keen in his races and that has to be a concern given the nature of this track under these conditions. Last two runs have been particularly poor.

Form: S5628P

Bermeo^b³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 90

16/1

His record on soft/heavy ground has to be a concern ahead of this, but dropping to a more reasonable mark. Will be fitter for last months return from a layoff.

Form: 612-597

Poyntzpass¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: R C Harper| OR: 83

16/1

Dual point-to-point winner on good ground who has been well beaten in maiden/novice hurdles. Makes handicap debut at a low level, but may need quicker conditions in order to shine.

Form: 2P3534

Scartare¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 79

5/1

Looks to have a race of this nature in him from this mark judged on his last two efforts. Handles testing conditions and one for the shortlist.

Form: 776P-32

Minella Voucher^t⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 78

14/1

Nicely bred and showed some ability in point-to-points. Disappointing under rules, but mark continues to fall and less exposed than most in this. It often pays to watch the market with runners from this yard and that would be the advice.

Form: 475696

Forecasts

Cafe Au Lait (7/4), Scartare (5/1), Rock And Roll King (7/1), Edward Elgar (8/1), Goodnight Charlie (8/1), Gi Jayne (12/1), Justice Knight (12/1), Minella Voucher (14/1), Poyntzpass (16/1), Bermeo (16/1)

This looks easier than the race CAFE AU LAIT contested last time when going down to a well-handicapped rival and finishing clear of the third. Scartare is an obvious danger, whilst Minella Voucher could prove better than recent efforts suggest if supported. Edward Elgar can usually be relied upon to run well here and has each-way claims now reverting to hurdles.