16:10 Towcester

Wednesday 14 February 2018

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

starspreads.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 6m 21.7s

Black Franks Angel^p⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 97

7/1

Tailed off on debut for this yard following a seven month break. Improvement can be expected over this longer trip and with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 6P03-P3

Finish The Story^b,t³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: James Best| T: J Farrelly| OR: 95

5/1

Landed a gamble over hurdles in this grade from a similar mark a year ago. Tailed off on seasonal return last month and the market should be informative.

Form: 1443-24

How's My Friend¹³

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J G Cann| OR: 94| C

11/4

Teenager has two wins and two placed efforts from five runs here. Latest victory two weeks ago came over 3m when flattered by his margin of victory and a repeat will be harder off his revised mark.

Form: 2-P6221

Spirit Of Hale^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 90

7/2

Not fully exposed over fences after just three starts, but remains a 12 race maiden. His jumping may have cost him the race at Catterick last time when the 3m trip appeared to suit. That stamina will be an attribute and he looks a leading player.

Form: 475-443

Canyouhearmenow^b1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 86

33/1

Unable to get off the mark in point-to-points and little sign of ability in three starts under rules. Blinkers fitted this time.

Form: P/43-079

Some Finish^v⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 86| CD

6/1

Has won a couple of races here in similarly poor company. Handles any ground and he may prove better for the break following a disappointing run last time.

Form: P1-5515

Lickpenny Larry^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton| OR: 83

8/1

Showed fist real sign of ability last time and a further drop in the weights might be enough in this company.

Form: 8-64R54

Badilou^p,h²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: J McGrath| T: M Hill| OR: 77

10/1

Winner of two hurdles in France and noted staying on well from off the pace at Chepstow on his latest start. That run suggested this stiffer track will suit and he is better going right-handed.

Form: 863F83

Onurbike³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: J G O'Neill| OR: 63

33/1

Five starts over fences and has been pulled up in three of them, unseated rider in another and was down the field last time. Cannot be recommended with that record in mind.

Form: 4/PPU-P9

Forecasts

How's My Friend (11/4), Spirit Of Hale (7/2), Finish The Story (5/1), Some Finish (6/1), Black Franks Angel (7/1), Lickpenny Larry (8/1), Badilou (10/1), Onurbike (33/1), Canyouhearmenow (33/1)

Johnny Farrelly saddles both Black Franks Angel and Finish The Story. It is possible to make cases for both and the market should be informative as either could improve on their latest starts. How's My Friend and Some Finish like this track, whilst Lickpenny Larry appeared to be going the right way last time. Spirit Of Hale relished the stiffer test last time, but BADILOU appeals as a more likely winner. His best performance came last time and more should be forthcoming on this stiffer right-handed circuit.