15:30 Hereford

Tuesday 13 November 2018

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Major Courage Bar Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 15.40s

Calipto²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137

14/1

A winner at Cartmel in March but was already held when he unseated today's rider at Market Rasen last time out; that effort created the impression the handicapper has him back where he wants him. Vulnerable from top weight.

Form: F/5551-U

Hogan's Height^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 137| D

9/2

Can make the running if he needs to and winning form when able to dominate. Stiff test from his current mark though and is still 6lb above his latest winning mark.

Form: 21116-3

De Rasher Counter³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 137

11/4

Won in good style over hurdles at Fontwell (extended 2m3f, heavy) in January and handicapped on a couple of fair efforts over timber since. Not disgraced on chasing debut last time and possible there's more to come. Worth a betting check.

Form: 21F72-3

Too Many Diamonds¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

25/1

Drops in class after finding a Grade 3 too hot for him last time. Had previously held his form well and has some solid form to his name. Goods chance back at this level. Shortlisted.

Form: 111226

Dusky Lark²⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 133

40/1

Best when racing close to the pace and is only 1lb above his last winning mark. Unseated when last seen out but had previously been struggling. Has a bit more to prove than just his fitness on these terms.

Form: 4/P334U-

Town Parks²²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 132| CD

6/1

C&D winner in January but disappointed in both starts since (fell at Uttoxeter last time out). Looks weighted to the limit and may just need a run having been off since April.

Form: 4U11F4-

Creep Desbois²²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 131| DWS

10/1

Sets out from 7lb above his only previous winning mark over fences but hasn't stood much racing this calendar year. Off since March but has gone well fresh before now. Worth noting in the betting.

Form: 3/05126-

Opening Batsman^t²³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 129| BF| D

25/1

Veteran with seven wins over fences to his name from a career spanning back to 2011; still retains plenty of enthusiasm though and ;latest from figures read well. Usually takes at least a run to put him right though. (Off since March.)

Form: 011/443-

Enjoy Responsibly¹⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 129| D

25/1

Winner of a small field handicap over fences at Fakenham in March but was well below that level in both subsequent starts. Still 7lb above that winning mark and looks set for a stiff test even though his rider's claim helps at the weights.

Form: 54310-5

Touch Kick^h,t³²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

6/1

Has ability but is another whose fortunes appear to have been clamped down upon by the handicapper. Conditions should suit but needs everything to go his way from 4lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 716/713-

Conna Cross¹⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: J Farrelly| OR: 126| D

13/2

Made a winning start for his current yard but found out by a 7lb higher mark last time out. The trip suits but more rain needed to bolster the gelding's chances from the foot of the handicap.

Form: 56101-3

Forecasts

De Rasher Counter (11/4), Hogan's Height (9/2), Touch Kick (6/1), Town Parks (6/1), Conna Cross (13/2), Creep Desbois (10/1), Calipto (14/1), Enjoy Responsibly (25/1), Opening Batsman (25/1), Too Many Diamonds (25/1), Dusky Lark (40/1)

The ease in grade for TOO MANY DIAMONDS may provide another slice of good fortune for Dan Skelton's tough-as-teak gelding, who edges the nomination as the one to on here. Creep Desbois and De Rasher Counter are a couple of others with leading claims in this company, while a downpour of rain would also aid the cause for Conna Cross, who is respected despite propping up the handicap today.