18:00 Stratford

Saturday 9 June 2018

All18:0018:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:3521:05

Perfect P (Karma) Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 5m 27.00s

Fenlons Court⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 102

4/1

Steps up in trip, which could help (half-brother Tangolan gets 3m), showed ability in better company last year and drops into a Class 5 for the first time. Yard going very well at present and a better run tonight would be no surprise.

Form: 356646-

Calarules^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 96

5/2

Much better effort at Bangor latest when second to an improver, the front pair well clear of the third who scored next time. With that, 5lb rise is fair enough, but the worry is the form of the yard, with too many running below par.

Form: 469/43-2

Earcomestom^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: P A Pritchard| OR: 92

11/2

Has found some form last two starts, second at Uttoxeter (winner went in again) and then a close fifth at Southwell. Travelled well both times and if making his final run for the tape a bit sooner, could get his head in front.

Form: 7969-25

Snobbery²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 90

9/1

Won one for Roger Charlton on the Flat but that was back in 2016 and since then, it's been rather a sorry story. Did no better latest start and despite respected connections, hard to fancy in a warm event for the grade.

Form: 550P-7

Gaelic Flow²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 79

9/4

Looked well before his latest start here and turned in his best effort to date, the quick ground seemingly responsible, and he looked the winner when kicking clear. However, got tired and picked off late, so expect a more waiting ride this time.

Form: 05/798-3

Whiskey John^p⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 74

22/1

There's the odd effort on his card that offers some sort of hope here, and is worth a look in the market as the yard can land the occasional gamble with these seemingly out-of-form sorts, but overall he makes little appeal.

Form: 3/U36P0-

High Wheeler^p1²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: C Fryer| OR: 69

33/1

Pulled up on three of last six starts, and has beaten only a handful of horses home on the other three. Hard to make much of a case for in present frame of mind.

Form: 7P70/P-P

Lanta's Legacy^t³²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 69

33/1

Not a terrible effort when last seen, fading late in the day to finish fifth at Uttoxeter but that was getting on for a year ago. However, is unexposed, and will like conditions, so with yard in fine form could take a hand at a price.

Form: 6514/P5-

Non-Runners

Goodgirlteresa²⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: N P Mulholland J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Gaelic Flow (9/4), Calarules (5/2), Fenlons Court (4/1), Goodgirlteresa (9/2), Earcomestom (11/2), Snobbery (9/1), Whiskey John (22/1), Lanta's Legacy (33/1), High Wheeler (33/1)

A very tricky opener and cases can be made for a few. Earcomestom is knocking on the door and will surely drop in sooner rather than later, and looks sure to play a part in the finish. Fenlons Court and Lanta's Legacy are both potential improvers with their respective yards in good form, and Calarules holds a clear form choice on his recent second. But the market told you a better effort was expected from GAELIC FLOW last time out and he looked all over the winner, only to get tired late on. Expect Bryony Frost to hang on a little longer before kicking for home this time, and if doing so, may hold on.