13:40 Hereford

Saturday 9 March 2019

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Cotswold Mini Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 31.3s

Dun Bay Creek⁶⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: R Brotherton| OR: 105| D

50/1

Novice hurdle winner on good ground in June 2016 but had just two starts since and probably best watched on his debut for a new stable and first outing since May 2017.

Form: 94P17/F-

Apple Mack⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 105

9/1

Improved effort when finishing third in a novice hurdle over an extended 2m5f at Wincanton (good) in January. Given a short break since and is worth a check in the market on handicap debut.

Form: F-7003

Agincourt Reef^b⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 104

16/1

Followed up a 3m handicap hurdle victory in first time blinkers (retained since) at Ludlow (good) in November with a decent third two days later. Struggled on soft ground subsequently and is an interesting runner in this contest.

Form: 563139

Bomber's Moon^t⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: M D Grant| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 103

10/1

Ten race maiden failed to back up a promising third over an extended 3m at Doncaster (good) in November when well beaten at Warwick (2m5f, good-to-soft) the following month. Represents a good yard and not written off completely.

Form: 39-0937

Knight Commander¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: S Flook| OR: 102

28/1

Dual hurdles winner finished a decent 3L third over 1m6f at Wolverhampton last time out. Returns to hurdles off his last winning mark and any market support would be notable.

Form: 572706

Shroughmore Lass¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 102

10/1

Heavy ground handicap hurdle winner over 2m at Chepstow in 2017. Ran well when 16L third at Lingfield (2m, soft) last month on first start since wind surgery and interesting to see if she can build on that stepping up in distance.

Form: 3422-P3

Top Decision^t⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 102

3/1

Broke his maiden when winning by a neck in a 2m3f novices' handicap hurdle at Warwick (good-to-soft) in December. Raised 5lb for that success and is one for the shortlist on his return from a break.

Form: 724-P51

Great Fairy⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 102

14/1

Maiden after seven starts under Rules and probably best watched having pulled up on two of his last three starts including on heavy going at Exeter when last in action in December.

Form: 694P4P

Head Lad⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 99| BF

8/1

Finished runner-up over 2m in a handicap hurdle at Chepstow (good-to-soft) in November. Decent effort when a close sixth over 2m3f at Warwick (good-to-soft) subsequently and is worth a check in the market on his return from a break.

Form: 009-226

Cuban Pete¹¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 99

5/1

Six race maiden finished a well beaten 44L sixth of seven in a 2m handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (heavy) on handicap debut in November. Given a break since but probably best watched at present.

Form: 76739-6

Where Now⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 98

33/1

Signs of ability in maiden hurdles in Ireland but pulled up on both starts since joining this yard. Handicap mark is falling as a result and market support would be notable in this contest.

Form: 8604PP

Scales⁹²

Age: 13| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 97

25/1

Winner of four races over hurdles but struggled when beaten 36L on heavy ground over an extended 2m2f at Exeter on seasonal debut in December. Probably best watched at present.

Form: 6FP24-9

Sin Sin^p,t1¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: N J Hawke| OR: 96

33/1

13 race maiden under all codes and well held over 1m3f at Kempton last time out. Tongue tie tried for the first time on her return to hurdles.

Form: 435-59

Galactic Power¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ceris Biddle⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 96

9/2

Five time winner over hurdles but held in first time blinkers (absent here) over an extended 2m4f at Huntingdon (good) last time out and looks in the grip of the handicapper at present.

Form: 872465

Forecasts

Top Decision (3/1), Galactic Power (9/2), Cuban Pete (5/1), Head Lad (8/1), Apple Mack (9/1), Shroughmore Lass (10/1), Bomber's Moon (10/1), Great Fairy (14/1), Agincourt Reef (16/1), Scales (25/1), Knight Commander (28/1), Where Now (33/1), Sin Sin (33/1), Dun Bay Creek (50/1)

TOP DECISION was a winner last time out and he is taken to register a second hurdles victory by taking this competitive looking opening contest. The selection has the forecast going to suit and can get the better of Head Lad who wasn't beaten far in a competitive event last time out. Third place can go the way of handicap debutant Apple Mack who ran well over this trip last time out.