15:20 Plumpton

Monday 11 March 2019

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:55

John Laker 90th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 6m 22.9s

Merry Milan⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 123

4/1

Novice hurdle winner who looked as though he would make a better chaser. Not quite come to fruition as yet over fences (jumping has been mixed); back on track over hurdles last time (sharp enough test); needs another sound outing to convince.

Form: 1-2F473

Potters Hedger^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Wadham| OR: 122| CD

2/1

C&D winner who still looks largely unexposed over staying trips having looked as though he could cope with this mark at Ascot last time. Has his sights slightly lowered this time and from a yard that remain in good form; leading player.

Form: 2-15174

Ballyheigue Bay^p,t²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 120| CD

14/1

Produced a very mixed bag since returning from a break in December failing to complete in two of his three chase starts. Looked a little more like his old self last time back over hurdles (unseated late on); trip will suit but questions remain.

Form: 32-3PPU

Wishicould⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: C J Mann| OR: 119

8/1

Newbury handicap hurdle winner off a 9lb lower mark who shaped with some promise back from a 21 month break last December. Failed to build on that run though last time (stopped quickly; pulled-up); something to prove here.

Form: 3212/3P

Ballymagroarty Boy¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Buckley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 117

25/1

Scored under today's rider on his handicap debut in testing conditions at Haydock. His two subsequent runs have produced a below-par run and a rather luckless one last time; fell 5 out when just getting involved, may do better.

Form: 957-18F

Longhousesignora²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117

5/1

Judged on her last two runs (win and a second) looks to need this trip and more these days. Finished strongly to win at Ludlow (2m5f) after which she didn't quite get the run of the race at Market Rasen; career-high mark now but looks capable.

Form: 7-43F12

I See You Well¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 115| C

8/1

Twice a course winner (once over hurdles) she's been chasing for the most part of late; failed to complete in her last two runs (fell in Sussex National here). Would have needed the run when last seen; off a much lower hurdles mark today.

Form: 4551FU

Steel Bob⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: M Goldstein| T: George Baker| OR: 112

16/1

Novice hurdle winner when with Harry Fry he makes his debut for a new yard today having taken a step in the right direction In a Hereford handicap last time. Proved himself over staying trips and looks of interest off a career-low mark.

Form: P/412-P3

Little Boy Boru²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 108| CD

7/1

Attracted support and showed something like his old form when scoring over C&D last time. Took advantage of a fall in the weights to end a losing run that dated back to 2014; has to now prove himself again off 5lb higher.

Form: 32/P071

Landscape¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 79

125/1

Not given an easy task as he's 18lb out of the handicap for a start and comes here having offered little on his debut run for this yard. An unreliable sort it would be a big surprise to see him get involved here and looks outclassed.

Form: 7P3-696

Forecasts

Potters Hedger (2/1), Merry Milan (4/1), Longhousesignora (5/1), Little Boy Boru (7/1), I See You Well (8/1), Wishicould (8/1), Ballyheigue Bay (14/1), Steel Bob (16/1), Ballymagroarty Boy (25/1), Landscape (125/1)

This staying trip appears to be what Venetia Williams mare LONGHOUSESIGNORA needs based on her last two outings and given the stable are still in good form she’s taken to score again now she’s found her feet in handicap company. Potters Hedger is another improving sort who looks capable at this level having run well at Ascot last time. Little Boy Boru is a recent C&D winner but he will have to improve again to repeat that win now he’s up in class. Steel Bob has looked at home over staying trips and off a mark such as this he really ought to be competitive on his first run for the George Baker stable.