14:00 Lingfield

Tuesday 27 November 2018

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Docker Hughes Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 4m 59.95s

Ecu De La Noverie¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| D

11/2

Won his last start over fences in January when trained by Patrice Quinton in France. Made a terrific start for this yard when battling gamely to win at Newbury three weeks ago. Life a little tougher in a handicap here but leading contender.

Form: 2F451-1

Esprit De Somoza³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 130

5/1

Not yet reached the level that was expected over hurdles and was well held in a hot little race at Cheltenham last month. Has long looked like going up in trip would help and will appreciate these calmer waters. Big run expected.

Form: 5120-65

River Bray¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 124

9/2

Has looked a tricky ride at times and can pull hard. Ran well when third on handicap debut at Exeter two weeks ago and that is form that gives him a clear chance at the weights in here. Not dismissed.

Form: 2852-33

Ruacana³⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 123

33/1

Very long time since he won a race but has been given a real chance by the handicapper if his trainer has got him right after a long break. Last win (January 2015) came off a mark of 137; worth noting if he's a market positive.

Form: 52P75/0-

Oxford Blu^p,t1²⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 123WS

12/1

Won on hurdling debut but struggled in handicap company since. Returns from a seven month absence having had wind surgery and a tongue-tie goes on first time. Dangerous to dismiss.

Form: 432P0-7

Don Des Fosses²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

33/1

Won a Point-to-point and Bumper on first two starts but didn't progress over hurdles after that. Moves into handicap company for the first time and needs a good jolt of improvement on second start since a wind operation.

Form: 114-F45

Ar Mest¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117| C

7/2

Well held on return to action in a decent handicap hurdle at Sandown two weeks ago. Races off the same mark here and will need to do better to be involved but almost certainly has it in the locker.

Form: 531F0-9

First Du Charmil³¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: N D Fehily| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 115

5/1

Shown ability in bumpers and over hurdles so far. Returns from a 10 month absence here so will need to be cherry ripe. Has plenty to find with a couple of these on the balance of form. Positive jockey booking.

Form: 434/34-

Rough Night²⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 113

11/2

Still a maiden after 10 starts over in Ireland under rules. Returns from a six-month absence for a new yard today and mark does not look overly generous on the balance of form.

Form: 35336-8

Forecasts

Ar Mest (7/2), River Bray (9/2), Esprit De Somoza (5/1), First Du Charmil (5/1), Rough Night (11/2), Ecu De La Noverie (11/2), Oxford Blu (12/1), Ruacana (33/1), Don Des Fosses (33/1)

A good little contest that can go the way of ESPRIT DE SOMOZA who has not yet hit the heights that was expected of him over hurdles. He has long shaped like going up in trip will really suit and these conditions look a perfect stepping stone for a possible crack at the Lanzarote. Ecu De La Noverle battled gamely to beat a highly rated rival at Newbury and will be a tough nut to crack moving into a handicap. Whilst Oxford Bleu remains with potential having had wind surgery since his last run.