13:55 Huntingdon

Sunday 9 December 2018

All12:1512:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30

Goffs Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 3m 42.20s

Raven's Tower²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 130| CD

16/1

C&D winner whose last win came in this sphere off a 3lb lower mark but that was over a year ago now. Last two starts since returning from a break (both at Wetherby) have been modest and others make more appeal.

Form: 007-P33

William H Bonney²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 129| D

7/2

Back from a break and plunged in grade last time which enabled him to record a much needed win despite the fact he has won in higher grades before. Now forced back up in grade he didn't win with much to spare last time; opposed on balance now.

Form: 5680-01

Mister Universum^p1,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: William Marshall⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 126| D

16/1

His only handicap hurdles win came in a Class 2 event off a 1lb lower mark earlier this year. Has run some sound enough races of late but was given too much to do last time by today's rider at Doncaster; came from too far off the pace.

Form: 526042

Eskendash³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 124| D

7/1

Has ruined his winning chance on several occasions over hurdles with weak finishes but does travel well in his races. In good form on the Flat over the summer (won over 1m4f); ran a sound enough race on his hurdles return (winner was very well-in).

Form: 323-1F3

Sparkleandshine³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 122| CD

11/4

Made more impact over hurdles than he did in Irish points causing a shock on debut over C&D. Given a break he was then given a tough task in an Ascot handicap (pulled too hard) but this looks a little easier if he settles with the hood removed.

Form: 74F41-4

Romanor¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122| D

20/1

In good form over the summer months taking three handicaps under today's rider on a decent surface. Didn't run too badly last time in a race that wasn't run to suit at Wincanton over 4f further; would want any further rain and needs a pace to aim at.

Form: 131104

Shiroccan Roll²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

11/2

Gradually improving sort in novice hurdles who won on his hurdling debut and has bettered that form since without posting another win. Now switches to handicaps for the first time off a mark which looks competitive but may just need the experience.

Form: 5-3122

Prince Of Steal⁶³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H J Evans| OR: 122| D

80/1

You need to go back a fair way to find his winning form which consists of back-to-back Fakenham novice hurdles at up to 2m4f. Lightly-raced since then he returns from a long absence having failed to complete in his last four starts; best watched.

Form: 15FPUP/

Furiously Fast²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: D Burchell| OR: 120| D

20/1

Returned from a two year absence last time at Hereford over 2m to show that he still retains some ability although he remains 10lb above his last winning mark. Took a strong hold last time but an interesting sort to monitor in the market.

Form: 32121/5

Great Hall²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Quinn| OR: 120| CD

20/1

Useful Flat horse (rated 100+ in his pomp) he's not been seen over hurdles since June 2016 when he finished well held off a 4lb higher mark. Won over C&D on his hurdles debut and clearly well handicapped if he can find some of his old spark.

Form: 143438/

Blushing Red²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 118| D

7/1

Flat form was decent and he's now going the right way over hurdles having won his last two races in conditionals events (led both times). Same rider on board here and needs to step up his game (and jumping) again from a 6lb higher mark.

Form: 6-29311

Collodi¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: P J Brennan| T: C R Dore| OR: 115| D

50/1

Won a couple of weak handicap hurdles (the 2nd a seller) when with Neil Mulholland over 2m. Has run poorly on the Flat and over hurdles for his new yard and fails to make much appeal here in a much tougher grade.

Form: 321315

Forecasts

Sparkleandshine (11/4), William H Bonney (7/2), Shiroccan Roll (11/2), Eskendash (7/1), Blushing Red (7/1), Mister Universum (16/1), Raven's Tower (16/1), Great Hall (20/1), Romanor (20/1), Furiously Fast (20/1), Collodi (50/1), Prince Of Steal (80/1)

Competitive stuff and there are plenty that will fancy their chances in this with both William H Bonney and Blushing Red having won last time out but both of those have more on their plates this time around. Seamus Mullins has a good record in this race (won it in 2013/2014; no runners since) and he saddles Romanor who may get the decent pace he needs to run at. Eskendash is a smooth traveller but he’s flattered to deceive on more than one occasion of late while both Great Hall and Furiously Fast are worth watching in the market. SPARKLEANDSHINE gets the overall vote having scored over C&D he returns to calmer waters here off a mark that doesn’t look beyond him.