13:25 Kelso

Tuesday 22 January 2019

All12:5513:2513:5514:2514:5515:2515:55

Racing To Work Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 6m 31.7s

Taxmeifyoucan^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-3| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 131| C

20/1

Useful Flat type (won off 84) who is a dual hurdles scorer with his last win in this sphere coming here over 2m (heavy). Not won a handicap yet (had some stiff tasks) but looked temperamental last time and now steps up significantly in trip.

Form: U130-70

Sun Cloud^p¹¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 126

33/1

Approaching the veteran stage now; not had much racing since scoring in back-to-back handicap hurdles in late 2017. Looked to need the run when last seen (September 2018) in a slightly better grade; now returns from another break, bit to prove.

Form: 116P7-0

Justatenner^h³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 122

11/2

Rejuvenated by a move to this stable winning three of his first four races for the yard over trips short of 3m (fitting of a hood a positive). Has remained in form since then despite a still climbing mark; unsuited by the shorter trip last time.

Form: 113245

Very First Time²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C R King| T: T D Easterby| OR: 119

9/1

Most recently seen over fences in staying handicaps but looks to have become one to have fears about temperamentally. Never ran any sort of race last time out and now reverts to hurdles off a lesser mark; caution advised though.

Form: 1200-57

Arthurs Secret²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 118

3/1

Keeps knocking at the door in this sphere but has trouble converting his chances and remains with a 1-22 record over hurdles. Gets very little help from the handicapper due to his consistent nature and it's likely the song remains the same here.

Form: 4-76224

Mighty Thunder^p1,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112| C

2/1

Returned to novice company last time to open his account over 2m6f here with the leader who he was closing on at the time crashing out at the last. Had previously been beaten in five handicaps (once off this mark); cheekpieces now on first-time.

Form: 83-2251

Landecker^v²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 109| CD

9/2

Course specialist (has won five times here; C&D twice) but is an enigmatic sort often not looking interested in the early stages before finishing powerfully. Returned to form last time under today's rider; could make use of reduced mark.

Form: P8-9662

Non-Runners

Too Many Chiefs³⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: Mrs S A Watt J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Mighty Thunder (2/1), Arthurs Secret (3/1), Too Many Chiefs (4/1), Landecker (9/2), Justatenner (11/2), Very First Time (9/1), Taxmeifyoucan (20/1), Sun Cloud (33/1)

There’s no doubt that Landecker is at home here having won this race last year off a 6lb higher mark and he does look as though he’s returning to form. He remains an awkward ride though and it will be on his terms if he wants to win this although this trip gives him plenty of chance to get rolling. The ground may be a little too quick for Too Many Chiefs while Arthurs Secret just doesn’t win often enough to be considered the main selection. That goes in the direction of JUSTATENNER who will be suited by a return to this trip with jockey Harry Reed knowing him well; he’s still capable off this mark. Mighty Thunder was a touch fortunate last time but has to be respected as a course winner.