14:45 Market Rasen

Sunday 20 May 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5016:2016:5017:25

B Eyre & Son Ltd Ford Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 10.1s

Gran Maestro^b²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Winks⁽⁵⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 112| BF| CD

18/1

Won the listed Summer Hurdle over C&D back in 2015 off 15lb higher mark and while not quite the horse he was he still managed to win at Wetherby on his penultimate hurdles start. Remains feasibly handicapped.

Form: 607216-

Bardd¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 110| BF

4/1

Landed Sandown bumper 16 months ago and held every chance at Huntingdon last week when he fell at the final flight as he sought his first win over hurdles. Turns out again quickly off 1lb higher and has every chance.

Form: 22/343-F

Mr Kite^t⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 110| CD

6/1

Won Musselburgh 2m novices handicap hurdle in March 2017 then was absent for 10 months. Clearly needed return as ran much better last time when third at Musselburgh and anticipated better ground helps his cause. Has claims.

Form: 6331/63-

Hello Bertie¹⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 108WS

10/1

Placed in both bumpers and runner-up on hurdles bow in heavy ground at Perth last September before two poor subsequent runs. Has undergone wind surgery and has his first start since so market certainly worth a check. Yard in great form.

Form: 3/3257-

More Than Luck⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 107

20/1

Both wins to date have come over 2m7f so could find this plenty sharp enough. Yard continuing in fine form but this gelding has run poorly of late and may not be one to rely on.

Form: 3146P5-

Mountain Path¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: N P Madden| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 106

16/1

Landed Wetherby bumper on racecourse debut in January 2017 for Micky Hammond before joining current yard. Second in Worcester novice hurdle last summer and third at Southwell in similar event on last start in November. Returns from six month break .

Form: 10/253-

Bishop Of Bling^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 105

33/1

No better than third in 10 career starts to date and was beaten out of sight on debut for this yard at Ludlow last month. Much more needed and looks up against it.

Form: 744/8-

New Kid In Town¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: A Pogson| T: P Winks| OR: 105

50/1

Won four NH races for Willie Mullins before joining current yard in November. Pulled up on British debut and was tailed off last time in Warwick handicap hurdle. Eased 5lb but makes little appeal.

Form: P4/P0P-0

Secret Melody²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: C R King| T: T D Easterby| OR: 105

33/1

Beaten 30 lengths last time but was still in touch at the last when almost falling. Runs off same mark here and may be open to some improvement. One of the likelier outsiders.

Form: P5748-

Londonia^h,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 105

10/1

Improved to win two handicaps last season and shaped with promise when third at Huntingdon last time on first outing for eight months. Should be straighter for that outing and is one to add to calculations.

Form: 112763-

Bit Of A Quirke²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 101

16/1

Twon on the Flat at Beverley over 1m2f but yet to strike over timber. Ran a respectable race under a big weight though at Uttoxeter in November when and should be fit now after two recent spins on the Flat

Form: 7335-

Baron Von Chill^h,t1²⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 92WS

3/1

Ex-Irish 14-race maiden makes debut for top yard following wind surgery. Wears a hood and a first time tongue-tie so market should indicate if connections expect the op to bring about any improvement.

Form: 8893UP-

Russian Rascal^t⁵^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 85| D

7/2

Yard among the winners of late including this gelding who popped up at 18/1 at Sedgefield last week. 7lb penalty partially offset by rider's 3lb allowance so entitled to go well if fully recovered from exertions.

Form: 887P6-1

Port Lairge⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 70

100/1

0-9 over hurdles but has won four times on the Flat, all at Brighton. Little aptitude for this game though and races from 14lb out of the handicap so has a mountain to climb.

Form: 54/549-6

Non-Runners

Buonarotti Boy¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: Mrs S Leech J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Baron Von Chill (3/1), Russian Rascal (7/2), Bardd (4/1), Mr Kite (6/1), Londonia (10/1), Hello Bertie (10/1), Buonarotti Boy (12/1), Bit Of A Quirke (16/1), Mountain Path (16/1), Gran Maestro (18/1), More Than Luck (20/1), Secret Melody (33/1), Bishop Of Bling (33/1), New Kid In Town (50/1), Port Lairge (100/1)

Quite a few with chances in an open event and narrow preference is for Ruth Jefferson's HELLO BERTIE. He was out of sorts when last seen but has undergone a wind op, and with the yard in great form of late there is a fair chance he may produce an improved display. Russian Rascal tries to strike again after winning nicely last week at Sedgefield, and both Secret Melody and Mr Kite have claims. Barrd, Bit Of A Quirke and Baron Von Chill are others worth considering.