14:20 Southwell

Sunday 15 July 2018

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:0017:35

SW And At Darby Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 6m 29.10s

Bertie Lugg^p⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 102| C

28/1

Won at Towcester 14 months ago when trained by Henry Oliver but has run poorly in two starts since joining current connections. Eased 10lb in the weights though and tackles easier company this time but has work to do.

Form: 5/12P-98

Master Sunrise^p⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: R Johnson| T: A Ralph| OR: 102| BF| D

7/4

Raced in point to points and hunter chases until made handicap debut at Worcester last time for new handler. Heavily backed but never got into it but booking of champion jockey very much catches the eye and might be worth another chance.

Form: 2P3-426

Generous Chief^v²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 100| CD

6/1

Won over hurdles on penultimate start at Stratford. Trying to exploit 8lb lower mark over fences. Has won here over timber but has to leave behind a bad run at Fontwell last time out.

Form: 2363-18

Champagne George^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 100

12/1

Lightly raced eight-year-old but has been very disappointing of late with a couple of poor efforts and consequently dropped down the official ratings. Ideally suited by give in the ground so any rain would be a bonus.

Form: 6237-5P

Myroundorurs^p1,t1²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 100

16/1

Hasn't won for over two years and has failed to finish in his last three starts. Signs of desperation as wears first time tongue-tie and cheekpieces and others make more appeal.

Form: 23/3-UPP

Summoned^t1⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C Grant| OR: 87| DWS

20/1

Winning point to pointer but didn't do well in three modest hunter chases this spring. Makes handicap bow here following wind op and jockey booking is a positive sign but really needs to start getting his at together.

Form: 1RF4-55

Classic Jewel^p,t²²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 84| D

10/1

Four starts for current yard, starting with a win at Uttoxeter 12 months ago followed by three fair placed efforts. Hasn't been seen for over seven months but goes well fresh and should be thereabouts.

Form: PP/1333-

Sgt Bull Berry³⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: P Maddison| OR: 80| CD

16/1

Has failed to complete in six of his last eight starts, but in and amongst did score at Stratford last year off 6lb lower than here. Poor effort latest and appaers to have something to find.

Form: U1/PPP9-

L'Es Fremantle¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 75

100/1

Dreadful record of just one place in 48 career starts and prospects of winning here look very slim indeed despite achieving that place as recently as his penultimate start last month.

Form: 55-4U37

Mahler Bay^b¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: R Menzies| OR: 72

25/1

20-race maiden who is of little account and pulled up recently on his first start for new connections. Impossible to fancy.

Form: 04677-P

Midnight Queen²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 71| D

7/1

Yet to make any impact under Rules but won a point to point last time out at Umberleigh. That's unlikely to be good enough but not completely without hope.

Form: 378P5-1

Larkhall²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 70| C| D

16/1

Won 2-35 over fences, his most recent win coming in November 2015 and hasn't done anything too spectacular since then. Races from 4lb out of the handicap

Form: 356-36P

French Seventyfive²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Reed⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 68| CD

14/1

6lb out of the handicap. Won here over hurdles a couple of years ago and has been a distant fourth on each of his last two starts, one over hurdles,one over fences. Looks very slow but may plod on and has possible place prospects.

Form: 55434-4

Forecasts

Master Sunrise (7/4), Generous Chief (6/1), Midnight Queen (7/1), Classic Jewel (10/1), Champagne George (12/1), French Seventyfive (14/1), Larkhall (16/1), Myroundorurs (16/1), Sgt Bull Berry (16/1), Summoned (20/1), Mahler Bay (25/1), Bertie Lugg (28/1), L'Es Fremantle (100/1)

Most of these are devoid of ability or are out of form so this represents a fair chance for MASTER SUNRISE, disappointing on his handicap bow last time, to bounce back and recoup losses. Top weight Bertie Lugg is down in grade and has been given a chance by the handicapper, while Classic Jewel may go well as he tends to run best when fresh. It's hard to get too excited about the remainder.