14:40 Towcester

Sunday 6 May 2018

All13:0013:3514:1014:4015:1515:5016:25

Visit Star Sports In Mayfair Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 4m 53.50s

Iniciar^b⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: D Pipe| OR: 125

10/1

Smart sort at best on the Flat although he would have needed the race last time and has shown some similarly useful form over hurdles. Not run in this sphere since September 2016 but returns 7lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 071341/

The Sweeney¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

3/1

Still a fairly lightly-raced sort who really looks to be getting his act together at last in this sphere and opened his account last time at Wincanton off a 9lb lower mark. Should continue to make an impression with improvement to come.

Form: 637431-

Ballinure¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 122

9/2

Dual winning chaser who has also won over hurdles and in a bumper; finished last over fences last time (may be better than that finishing position). Now returns to hurdles after an absence off a 6lb lower mark but not written off.

Form: 2/1P198-

Wynford^t²⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| BF

4/1

Returns from a break having been very consistent in his last four runs winning two of them. Rather spoilt his chance last time by jumping right at Worcester and this course will suit him much better; has a 5lb higher mark to cope with here.

Form: 581212-

Oxford Blu^b¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 125

11/2

A fair stayer on the Flat he made a successful hurdling debut at Fakenham but has suffered three defeats in handicap company of late. All those runs were over 2m (lacked pace last time) and this trip should suit better off a 3lb lower mark.

Form: 1432P0-

Travertine^p1¹¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 117

10/1

Cheekpieces go on for the first-time as he returns from a break having being well supported last time on his second run for the yard. Obviously has potential off this mark (2lb higher here) but might just be a better over 3m.

Form: 2/17072-

Trans Express^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 115| D

9/2

Landed an Exeter handicap in December for the second year running off a 5lb lower mark. Beaten in two starts since and might find this mark beyond him with his yard being rather quiet at the moment.

Form: 156162-

Non-Runners

Mr Fitzroy²⁹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 8

T: Miss J S Davis J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Sweeney (3/1), Wynford (4/1), Ballinure (9/2), Trans Express (9/2), Oxford Blu (11/2), Iniciar (10/1), Travertine (10/1), Mr Fitzroy (25/1)

There look to be one or two horses in this that can be considered to be on the up with THE SWEENEY at the head of that queue and he looks as though he can build on his win from last time. Both Wynford and Travertine return from break with this right-handed circuit looking as though that will suit the former, the latter could do with reverting to 3m but is still capable of a big run here. Oxford Blu is another who will appreciate this trip based on his handicap form so far while Iniciar shouldn’t be left out of the equation as he returns to hurdles.