14:40 Kempton

Saturday 16 March 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Matchbook VIP Silver Plate Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 13.1s

Burrows Edge²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132| D

7/4

Returning from a break when finishing a neck second in a 13 runner handicap hurdle over this C&D on good ground last time out. Represents a top yard and another bold show likely.

Form: 41126-2

Star Of Lanka²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex| OR: 130

7/1

Dual novice hurdle winner over an extended 2m3f at Hereford earlier this season but beaten in a competitive handicap here subsequently. Respectable fourth in a Grade 2 upped in trip last time out and remains open to improvement.

Form: 3-41144

Mahlervous^p1⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 129| D

16/1

Returned from wind surgery with an impressive 8L odds-on victory in a 2m5f handicap hurdle at Kelso (good) in January. Given a break since and a bold show expected off a 6lb higher mark with cheekpieces applied for the first time.

Form: U20-261

Townshend^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Joe Anderson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128

10/1

Had wind surgery following a 15L fourth over an extended 2m3f at Hereford (soft) in December and ran well when placed over an extended 2m5f at Wincanton (good) on last months comeback run. One to note on this occasion.

Form: 536642

Honest Vic^v²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 126

11/2

Placed on two of his three starts since returning from a short break most recently when beaten a head over an extended 2m3f at Ascot (good-to-soft) a month ago. Raised 4lb for that effort and visor worn for the first time that day is retained.

Form: 5-64252

Wicked Willy^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124

20/1

Finished third, beaten 4L in a competitive 3m1f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (good-to-soft) in January. Slightly below par when fifth at Chepstow (good-to-soft) subsequently and remains of interest in this event.

Form: P-53335

Higgs²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: S-J Davies| OR: 122

25/1

Held in three starts since placing second, beaten 10L on good-to-firm going over an extended 2m3f at Doncaster in early December. Handicap mark is gradually dropping and market support would be notable.

Form: 142765

My Way^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 121

7/1

Showed good form in France during the 2017/18 season and has placed in novice hurdles on his last two starts for this yard. Good 6½L third over 2m3f at Warwick (good) last time out and is one to note on handicap debut.

Form: 22-6723

Crystal Lad¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 121| BF

14/1

Sole victory in 17 career starts came in a good-to-soft ground novice hurdle at Fontwell (2m3f) in February 2017. Failed to build on a promising second at Market Rasen (good-to-soft) when finishing sixth at Newbury (good-to-soft) last time out.

Form: 349-P26

Shoal Bay^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120

12/1

Winner of his first two starts including hurdling debut at Taunton (2m3f, good) in 2017. Finished a fair sixth over an extended 3m at Haydock (good) last month when returning from a break and likely to have improved for the run.

Form: P2-6056

Forecasts

Burrows Edge (7/4), Honest Vic (11/2), My Way (7/1), Star Of Lanka (7/1), Townshend (10/1), Shoal Bay (12/1), Crystal Lad (14/1), Mahlervous (16/1), Wicked Willy (20/1), Higgs (25/1)

BURROWS EDGE can defy top weight to take a competitive looking handicap hurdle. Representing a leading yard the selection ran well on his return to action last time out and can go one better here with Mahlervous, a winner on his most recent start capable of claiming second ahead of My Way who is making his first appearance in handicaps.