Pola Minerals Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 10.0s

Silver Concorde³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 135

3/1

A tilt at the Chester Cup didn't exactly go to plan (holds a Northumberland Plate entry), but this classy ten-year-old is 3 from 5 over hurdles for Richard Gilbert/Keith Dalgleish; trip fine, ground quick enough, but a major player in this race.

Form: 31121P-

Sky Khan^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 128| D

4/1

Races off the back of two very solid recent runs at Ayr (2m5f+) and Market Rasen (2m4f+) and must have every chance off an unadjusted mark; unseated rider early in this race in 2017.

Form: U3672-3

Card Game²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 126| BF| C

4/1

In excellent shape at this track recently (2m) and might've followed up her early May success latest had her inexperienced rider made more use of her proven stamina (developed into a sprint finish); handicap mark is still rising.

Form: 4/329-13

Sweet Holly²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 119| D

6/1

Stablemate of Card Game and much like that mare is climbing the weights; yet to win a Class 3 handicap, but was progressive in the autumn of 2017 and no signs of a drop off in form since her return to the track.

Form: 1411F-3

Rockalzaro²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112

12/1

Didn't appear to stay on his sole attempt beyond 2m1f, but managed to finish a close up fourth after a break (Card Game third) over 2m here last month; more required.

Form: 13137-4

Desert Island Dusk^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 112| CD

10/3

Raised 5lb for his fourth C&D win earlier this month (beat Elmono by 2¼L) and generally thrives during May/June. However, this rates as a much stiffer assignment, so whilst respected, a career best effort is necessary.

Form: 8377-41

Forecasts

Silver Concorde (3/1), Desert Island Dusk (10/3), Card Game (4/1), Sky Khan (4/1), Sweet Holly (6/1), Rockalzaro (12/1)

A strong looking Class 3 Handicap Hurdle which is the clear highlight on the card. Ruth Jefferson goes double-handed with a couple of improving mares in the shape of Card Game and Sweet Holly, whilst Lucinda Russell has a major player with the consistent but infrequent winner Sky Khan. However, the horse to be with is SILVER CONCORDE. He's been well placed over hurdles since joining the back in-form Keith Dalgleish and this is a nice prize to be taken prior to a potential Flat option in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in just two weeks time.