14:10 Wincanton

Thursday 8 March 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:1516:5017:20

Smarkets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 30.4s

Johns Luck⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-7| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 102| D

11/2

Had his first sight of a hurdle in public since 2015 last time out when well beaten at Ludlow (3m, soft). Now drops 5lb and given that he twice won from higher over fences last season, he looks well treated, so we may see a revival in this grade.

Form: 232-P38

Barney From Tyanee^p1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Blake| OR: 91

11/1

11-race maiden who returns to hurdles after a spell chasing. Was beaten just 1½L from 9lb higher over fences at Plumpton in October, and this trip/ground suit. Stable in decent form and could go well in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 7-63464

Ring Minella^t1²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 90

10/1

Still early days and he hasn't shown much with the exception of his 11L third in a Hereford novices' handicap in January. 2lb lower today, unexposed and with tongue strap now fitted, though not seen quite enough from him just yet.

Form: F003P

Breaking Ground^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 88| C

5/2

Put a lengthy run of poor form behind him last time when a 4½L winner here over 2m5½f (soft) at 25-1. Can't argue with a 7lb rise for that and is respected, though whether he can rise to this challenge remains to be seen.

Form: 775801

Russian Spy^p1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

28/1

Well held in all starts so far in bumpers and novices company. Should be better for the return to this sort of trip. Cheekpieces may also help, while his initial mark looks fair, so a market check is suggested to gauge expectations.

Form: 40785

Upham Running²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs K A Buckett| OR: 81| D

15/2

It is over three years since his sole success in a Fontwell handicap hurdle (2m3f, soft), which came from 10lb higher. Back in better form on his last two starts, both from 3lb lower following wind surgery and could be in the battle for the minors.

Form: 63P-P24

Karl Marx^b⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 79| C

7/1

2lb higher than when scoring at Chepstow (2m, heavy) this time last year. Didn't appear to answer the handicapper's calls after that until back on same mark and runner-up at Fakenham last time. 2lb nudge up won't help, but has place claims.

Form: 33P042

Denny Kerrell²⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 78

8/1

Was in good form last spring over both hurdles and fences and was 2L runner-up from this mark in a Towcester handicap chase when last seen in May. Not usually at his best after a break, however, so probably one to watch.

Form: 4063-U2

Chasing Headlights¹⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 75

12/1

Well beaten in all starts so far, showing only moderate promise on a couple of occasions Was 58L adrift on handicap debut from 4lb higher at Newton Abbot when last seen in September and is readily opposed.

Form: 784795

Kayf Tiger^t1⁸⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 65

16/1

Best effort to date was on his debut in a Warwick bumper over three years ago. Not seen since November 2015 when with Robin Dickin and now has first start for this yard after an enormous lay-off. One to watch this time.

Form: 69P50/

Forecasts

Breaking Ground (5/2), Johns Luck (11/2), Karl Marx (7/1), Upham Running (15/2), Denny Kerrell (8/1), Ring Minella (10/1), Barney From Tyanee (11/1), Chasing Headlights (12/1), Kayf Tiger (16/1), Russian Spy (28/1)

A modest opener and a race where it is not easy to be confident about anything, but the suggestion is to side with BARNEY FROM TYANEE, who is well handicapped on fairly recent chase form, has trip/ground to suit and could benefit from the fitting of cheekpieces. John Luck is not too dissimilar in profile and can go well, while Breaking Ground, Russian Spy, Upham Running and Karl Marx are the others of most interest.