13:55 Leicester

Monday 29 October 2018

All12:1512:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Sir Gordon Richards Handicap

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 2m 35.16s

(6)

Hochfeld⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| BF| D

3/1

Losing run now at 10, but he has produced some very solid performances during that spell. Stays at least 1m6½f. Second in two Listed events at Chester last month, his handicap form from around this mark gives him each-way claims.

Form: 934242

(5)

Banditry²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Spencer| T: Ian Williams| OR: 102

5/1

Well held at Newbury on Saturday (1m2f, good to soft). Went very close prior to that from 4lb lower at Chelmsford and has run well in several other good handicaps, but still has plenty to prove over this longer trip.

Form: 053728

(4)

Aasheq¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97

3/1

Ran up a hat-trick from 1m1f-1m3f in the spring. 12lb higher than the last of those today, but worthy of the mark after further improvement. Beaten just 1L on only previous try at 1m4f. Not ground dependent. Bit more needed, but has claims.

Form: 236023

(3)

Restorer²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Fran Berry| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97

9/2

2lb higher than when recording the latest of his three wins at Chester (1m2½f, good) in May. Held all starts since, and couldn't sustain his effort after travelling well at Newbury on Saturday. Yet to win over this far. Bit to prove.

Form: 0-17575

(1)

Not So Sleepy^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Charlie Bennett| T: H Morrison| OR: 97

3/1

On a 12-race losing run, but last win came from 1lb higher at Epsom last year and arrives with good recent form to his name. Went close over C&D (good) last time out. Much respected from the same mark today.

Form: 882422

(8)

Great Hall⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: M Quinn| OR: 96| D

16/1

Arrives on a mark 5lb lower than when scoring at Ripon (1m4f, good to soft) in April. Nowhere near that form on his last three starts. Returns after a short break. Yet to win when fresh, but revival can't be ruled out from this mark.

Form: 579463

Non-Runners

(7)

Twin Star⁴⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

(2)

Kasperenko³⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: B G Powell J: D C Costello

Forecasts

Hochfeld (3/1), Not So Sleepy (3/1), Aasheq (3/1), Twin Star (7/2), Restorer (9/2), Banditry (5/1), Kasperenko (14/1), Great Hall (16/1)

An interesting middle distance handicap, where AASHEQ, who is unexposed over this trip and has improved throughout this season, is suggested. Great Hall is very interesting from this mark and if back to his best after a short break, he would be a threat to all, while Hochfeld is a solid yardstick who would not be an undeserving winner. Not So Sleepy is another with claims, while the fitting of blinkers by this trainer for the first time since he took the reins with Kasparenko, adds another potential twist to the outcome.