15:55 Fakenham

Friday 15 March 2019

All13:2013:5514:3515:1515:5516:3517:10

toteexacta Fakenham Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 3m 53.15s

Demopolis^h1⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125

8/1

Showed promise on debut of his current yard but has been below expectations twice since. More has been expected of him and the application of a hood may provide the key. One to monitor in the betting even though he's been disappointing.

Form: 1-260

Potters Midnight²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Wadham| OR: 125| CD

5/2

Won this race last year but is 10lb higher and needs to post a career best to follow up on these terms. Has been in good form lately, which bodes very well. Solid claims if she can prove the assessor wrong.

Form: 17-4313

All My Love²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 122| D

6/1

Was yet to be really popped a question when she unseated here on her penultimate start but did put the record straight with a win at Lingfield last month. Was second in this race last year but is 5lb better off with Potters Midnight. Good chance.

Form: 8294-U1

Zoffany Bay²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Aspell| T: A Stronge| OR: 121| D

4/1

Not fully exposed over hurdles and is on a workable mark. Dangerous to underestimate now he's getting the hang of things. Worth a betting check at least.

Form: 216632

Embole^h,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

25/1

Not achieved much since his win as a novice hurdler and plenty to prove after he flopped under a change of tactics last time; usually makes the running but has occasionally spoiled his chances by running freely.

Form: 03-4256

Thistimenextyear⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: R Spencer| OR: 118

5/2

Another who is open to improvement over hurdles and is better than he showed last time out. Best effort have been posted at Sandown so debatable as to whether this tight left-handed track will bring the best out of him.

Form: F22-24

Ballyellis²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Joe Anderson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 118

8/1

Still learning and the step back to the minimum trip is likely to suit given the way he got tired over 2m5f at Ludlow last month. Improvement still needed.

Form: 8-5P47

Lazarus^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 115| D

14/1

Won a claimer last November and been kept busy since. Not enjoyed much success under either code of racing though and likely he'll find one or two more wily in a finish once more.

Form: U41262

Forecasts

Thistimenextyear (5/2), Potters Midnight (5/2), Zoffany Bay (4/1), All My Love (6/1), Ballyellis (8/1), Demopolis (8/1), Lazarus (14/1), Embole (25/1)

Last year's renewal points towards a battle between Potters Midnight and ALL MY LOVE and, with the latter favoured by the weights this time, Pam Sly's mare is tipped to gain revenge for last year's narrow defeat. Demopolis is open to more improvement and is probably better than he showed last time. The fitting of a hood could have a positive impact and he's another to bear in mind. Zoffany Bay is another with more to offer and he too cannot be ruled out of the equation.