Fight For Good Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 43.61s

Kloud Gate⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 108

1/2

Shed his maiden tag over hurdles at the fifth attempt when scoring easily at Leicester last week. Due to go up 13lb for that success, but gets in with a 7lb penalty so chance is obvious.

Form: 663-51

Keep The River²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 112

20/1

Won an Ayr maiden hurdle in October, but was well held on her handicap bow at Market Rasen last month. Down 2lb, but that may not be enough.

Form: 214315

Ballyfarsoon^v²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 108

20/1

Without a win over hurdles, but has finished runner-up four times, including on latest outing in a Catterick novice event. Previous run in a handicap suggests he remains a little high in the weights.

Form: 22202

Espoir De Loire²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 108| BF

4/1

Winning pointer who has hit the frame in a couple of novice hurdles at Huntingdon. Handicap debut and is likely to make his presence felt.

Form: 1-23

St George's Oval^t1⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: L Egerton| OR: 100

12/1

No wins from nine starts over timber and latest runs in handicap company suggest he needs some help from the assessor. Tongue tied for the first time.

Form: 240055

Richard Strauss^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 99

12/1

Narrow margin winner on last two starts on the Flat and over hurdles. Up 4lb for his recent success at Musselburgh and has to go on the short list given his current vein of form.

Form: 654-881

Patience Tony¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: W T Kennedy| T: L Egerton| OR: 90

33/1

Maiden after nine attempts over timber and was pulled up on his latest outing at Newcastle yesterday. Plenty to prove if making a swift reappearance.

Form: 5-6352P

Forecasts

Kloud Gate (1/2), Espoir De Loire (4/1), St George's Oval (12/1), Richard Strauss (12/1), Keep The River (20/1), Ballyfarsoon (20/1), Patience Tony (33/1)

Richard Strauss is in great heart and could take a lot of beating, but KLOUD GATE may have his measure if handicap ratings are to be believed. He is officially 6lb well in following his victory at Leicester and a similar effort could prove sufficient. Espoir De Loire is respected on his handicap bow, but Keep The River and Ballyfarsoon look to have their fair share of weight.