Sodick Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 46.50s

Malachite²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Ned Curtis⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 121

13/8

Has ability and is surely better than he showed on his reappearance at Cheltenham last month. That was his first start since April and he's likely to strip a lot fitter this time. The betting can be useful where the top weight is concerned.

Form: 93516-0

Cogburn³⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Teal⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 119

4/1

Holds a consistent record so far and the gelding starts his handicap career on an attractive mark. The stable has an enviable record at this course and this fellow is no forlorn hope of boosting the statistics. Wouldn't want too much rain though.

Form: 372/24-

Erick Le Rouge²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 119

5/4

Progressive enough to say he's capable of paying his way again this season. The gelding stayed on well to get off the mark at Bangor last month and has more to offer. But he's also up 7lb in the weights and may have to dig deeper in this company.

Form: 4452-1

Classic Tune¹⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 112

25/1

Has endured long gaps in between his races and very possible he's not the force of old as he's been pulled up in both of his last two starts. Plenty to prove on his return after a break; even though the ground ought to suit ideally.

Form: 851/7P-P

Sporty Yankee^b1⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harrison Beswick⁽³⁾| T: A Sadik| OR: 101

50/1

Has a win over hurdles to his name (2m, soft) but has been inconsistent of late and has something to prove after making an inauspicious start for his new yard at Worcester in September. First-time headgear needs to spark a big revival.

Form: 3727-00

Non-Runners

Santiago de Cuba¹¹²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Outcrop²⁰

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: J Candlish J: Lorcan Murtagh

Forecasts

Erick Le Rouge (5/4), Malachite (13/8), Cogburn (4/1), Outcrop (4/1), Santiago de Cuba (9/2), Classic Tune (25/1), Sporty Yankee (50/1)

A competitive race for the grade but one which may be still within the compass of SANTIAGO DE CUBA, who showed plenty of ability during his time in Ireland and has been found a fair opening to make his debut for another illustrious trainer. Malachite can be expected to be a lot sharper after his blow out at Cheltenham last month; while Cogburn is another rated as a big threat as he's still unexposed and has been handed a workable mark for his handicap debut. Erick Le Rouge is also likely to be popular after his win at Bangor but he's up in the weights and this looks like being a more tactical affair.