15:05 Leicester

Monday 29 October 2018

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

Hoby Handicap

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 1m 45.13s

(1)

Firmament^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99| D

6/1

On a 25-race losing run stretching back over two years. However, was very competitive when placed at both Sandown (7f) and Chelmsford (1m) from 1lb higher last month. Should be thereabouts again.

Form: 739320

(4)

Fire Brigade^v1³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell| OR: 97| BF| CD

3/1

Won this race last year (good to soft), when 3lb lower. Has bettered that form four times from nine starts this season. Has visor fitted for this repeat bid and is entitled to claims.

Form: 855332

(9)

Third Time Lucky³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 96| CD

7/1

Yet to win a handicap from quite this high-a-mark and latest win came from 5lb lower in a Class 3 at York in July. Well held in Cambridgeshire last time, but not ruled out of the frame. Trainer won this in 2012 and 2014.

Form: 734100

(2)

Gulf Of Poets¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 96| D

10/1

Goes well when fresh, as he showed when scoring on his season return and then backing that up at Haydock. Acts on most ground and stays 1m2f. Claims if at his best, but needs to improve on his last three starts.

Form: 113996

(8)

Escalator³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 97| D

7/2

Has won half of his six starts this season, from 1m-1m2f. Most recent of those was in a Goodwood Class 2 handicap, when 6lb lower. Well held in Listed company at Ayr last time, but unexposed and not ruled out.

Form: 511917

(7)

Just Hiss^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| D

6/1

Ended a 13-race losing run at York (1m, good) last time, when winning a Class 2 from 4lb lower. Needs to get right back to his best form of 2017 to win from this revised mark, but no doubting he has each-way claims.

Form: 033351

(3)

Dragons Tail^p¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: M Harley| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92| D

16/1

Won a Class 3 at Chester (7½f, good to firm, under this 7lb claimer) when 1lb lower in July. Back in better form at Haydock (6f, heavy) latest. 1lb drop will help, as should better ground and he is interesting.

Form: 417084

(5)

Gossiping⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: G & J Moore| OR: 89| D

8/1

Can go well over 7f/1m on a sound surface on turf, but is inconsistent. 1lb higher than his last win, which was last year. Bit to prove, but churlish to dismiss him if back on-song.

Form: 928778

Non-Runners

(6)

Ventura Knight³⁰

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Fire Brigade (3/1), Escalator (7/2), Just Hiss (6/1), Firmament (6/1), Third Time Lucky (7/1), Gossiping (8/1), Gulf Of Poets (10/1), Ventura Knight (10/1), Dragons Tail (16/1)

A very competitive heat in prospect, with the suggestion being DRAGONS TAIL, who went close over this trip at Haydock earlier in the season and is back on a very competitive mark. With the jockey who last partnered him to success back up and claiming 7lb, we'll take the hint. There are plenty of others with chances on their best form, with Escalator a potential danger, last year's winner Fire Brigade another and both Ventura Knight and Firmament potential contenders.