13:30 Stratford

Thursday 23 August 2018

All13:3014:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Of Commerce Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 34.9s

Primogeniture^p1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 105

9/1

Cheekpieces go on for the first-time and it's hoped that they will help him find the form that he's been capable of on the Flat. Failed to see out the race over C&D last time and question marks remain over her credentials here.

Form: 84/3-355

Boychick²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 105

6/1

Ran some fair races on the Flat and hasn't so far done much wrong over hurdles in his three starts in this sphere. Looks capable of winning a handicap (made debut last time) and one who could do better here and worth a place on the shortlist.

Form: 424

Golden Sandstorm⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: L Heard| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 104

66/1

Not the most consistent and hard to find much to enthuse about after his handicap debut last time (tried in a hood; now removed). Jumped poorly on that occasion and even off this mark looks too high in the handicap.

Form: 6/FP-447

Hermanus^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 103

9/2

Much improved now that her headgear has been changed to blinkers opening her account in them (first-time) at Cartmel and following up at Bangor. Up another 5lb as she searches for her hat-trick; another sound run likely.

Form: 633711

Macksville²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 102

12/1

Winner on the Flat over staying trips he's shown aptitude over hurdles but failed to make any improvement switched to a handicap last time. Not had much experience in this sphere though and far too early to write off his chances.

Form: 944-5

Light Of Air^v¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 102

11/1

Failed to win on the Flat this year but was consistent (runner-up last two starts) and now returns to hurdles entering handicaps for the first time. Mark doesn't look at all harsh and he's one to watch for a market move.

Form: 576/9-

Leapt⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 102| BF

11/4

Had his quirks when racing on the Flat he seems far more focused now that he's running over hurdles winning a Southwell novice on his 2nd start. Showed further progress on his handicap debut in this sphere (needs to jump better); not out of this.

Form: 313

Inniscastle Lad^b²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 98

9/1

Four-times a winner on the Flat he's still looking for his first win over hurdles and despite the fact he may have needed the run last time he has something to find. Has on occasions looked a little moody and no surprise to see him in blinkers.

Form: 7433-75

Gamekeeper Bill¹⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: A Bailey| OR: 93

40/1

Makes his handicap debut but arrives here with little form to his name in bumpers or novice hurdles and looks a suspect stayer. One who it is hard to build a case for.

Form: 70688-7

Scotsbrook Night^t³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: M Goldstein| T: S Lycett| OR: 85

11/2

Consistency is her strongpoint having been in the first three for her past five starts and strong in the betting last time. Handicapper looks to have her measure off this mark though pushing her up 3lb from a rating she's not won off.

Form: 9-32323

Celer Et Audax^h⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Alain Cawley| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 84

200/1

Tried in a hood last time but that failed to have any galvanising effects and she remains without any credible form to her name. Hard to see her making much of an impression here on what she has so far shown.

Form: 0UP0-P8

Non-Runners

High Wells²⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 4

T: S Durack J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Leapt (11/4), High Wells (4/1), Hermanus (9/2), Scotsbrook Night (11/2), Boychick (6/1), Inniscastle Lad (9/1), Primogeniture (9/1), Light Of Air (11/1), Macksville (12/1), Gamekeeper Bill (40/1), Golden Sandstorm (66/1), Celer Et Audax (200/1)

A good puzzle to start the card with several who will fancy their chances and the hat-trick seeking Hermanus will be one of the leading lights even though she has to cope with another rise in the weights for her Bangor win. Boychick and High Wells are two others that will be suited by this test and have already shown some decent form over hurdles. Scotsbrook Night is consistent but keeps hitting the crossbar while Leapt needs to brush up his hurdling. LIGHT OF AIR hasn’t shown as much as some of these over hurdles but his Flat form will stand him in good stead now he goes handicapping over hurdles; market support would be interesting.