15:45 Huntingdon

Thursday 10 May 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:15

Smarkets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 6m 10.9s

Popelys Gull⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 120

66/1

Has been plying his trade over fences, but has been struggling off his handicap mark and reverts to hurdles. Record of 0-8 over timber does not inspire confidence.

Form: 142F63-

Bandon Roc^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: M Hamill⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 119| CD

16/1

Made it four wins from nine starts over hurdles when returning to form at Towcester last time. Has gone up 4lb for that and all his wins have come on a softer surface.

Form: P7P241-

Stage Summit^p1⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| OR: 119

7/1

Three decent efforts in novice/maiden company since joining current yard from Ireland. Interesting stepped up in trip for his first handicap with cheekpieces fitted.

Form: P/51253-

Will O'The West¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 118

10/1

Cut little ice over fences last season and latest run on return to hurdles was not encouraging. Has dropped to a fair handicap mark, however, and is not totally dismissed.

Form: 4496P6-

Fingerontheswitch^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117

8/1

Has not won for a while and latest effort at Haydock was not the best. This faster ground may see him in a better light, however, so he is not without hope.

Form: 262540-

Le Dauphin¹⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 117

13/2

Landed a Kempton novice hurdle just over a year ago, but has failed to back that up in three handicaps. Inching down the weights and returns from a break, but has a bit to prove.

Form: 2P1/056-

Gibbes Bay⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

13/2

Maiden hurdler who unseated rider and fell on two starts over fences. Reverts to hurdles and is not an obvious winner despite hailing from a leading stable

Form: 53/27UF-

Colt Lightning³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Johns| T: T Lacey| OR: 116| BF

14/1

Back-to-back handicap successes at Hereford before pulling up at Exeter last time. Ran off a much higher mark in that contest, but the heavy ground may not have helped, either.

Form: 46P11P-

Bodega⁴¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 115

20/1

Landed a Newbury handicap chase when last seen over a year ago. Reappearance over hurdles may be a prep run for another chasing campaign, but he is worth a check in the betting with ground to suit.

Form: 685141/

Sartene's Son^t1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 112

20/1

Maiden who has been placed three times over hurdles, the last two of them in handicap company with plenty of give underfoot. Interesting to see if this sounder surface suits. Tongue tied for the first time.

Form: P79333-

Bonnet's Vino⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Gina Andrews⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 112

25/1

Getting on a bit and not at her very best of late. Needs some help from the handicapper if she is to be more competitive.

Form: 15P/236-

Doitforjoe^t²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 111

25/1

Raced over fences when last seen in the autumn. This return after a break may be a curtain-raiser for another crack at the bigger obstacles, but jockey booking is interesting.

Form: 34931P-

Sackett¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 110

6/1

Running consistently well of late, including when third of 17 over C&D last month. Up another 2lb, but clearly enters calculations with conditions to suit.

Form: P32123-

Mab Dab²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Garner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 108| D

11/1

Back to form when winning a handicap at Fontwell last month. Has been raised 8b and is up in trip, but has proven stamina and underfoot conditions should be fine.

Form: 1/62321-

Local Show^p1,t1¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 107| BF

28/1

Went off favourite when well held over hurdles at Sedgefield last time despite pulling up on his two previous starts over fences. Plenty to prove in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: P/64PP8-

Forecasts

Sackett (6/1), Gibbes Bay (13/2), Le Dauphin (13/2), Stage Summit (7/1), Fingerontheswitch (8/1), Will O'The West (10/1), Mab Dab (11/1), Colt Lightning (14/1), Bandon Roc (16/1), Bodega (20/1), Sartene's Son (20/1), Doitforjoe (25/1), Bonnet's Vino (25/1), Local Show (28/1), Popelys Gull (66/1)

Holes can be pocked in several of these, so it may be prudent to side with the consistent SACKETT, who has been climbing the weights but seems sure to be thereabouts at a track and on ground which suits. Le Dauphin has possibilities after a break, while Stage Summit is interesting now he is handicapping with cheekpieces fitted. Mab Dab, Bandon Roc and Sartene's Son are others to consider.