16:20 Southwell

Tuesday 9 April 2019

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:25

Toalsbet World Lotteries Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 5m 15.1s

Lord Marmaduke^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 105

8/1

Form this season has been inconsistent, to say the least, but his third at Huntington in February would give him hope if reproducing it. Hard to be confident about his chances but this better ground may help, and not discounted.

Form: 920P36

Potters Sapphire^b⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 105

14/1

No win in 13 starts, and in truth, not really progressing either. Third at Huntingdon in January is fair form, but didn't really finish his race off and now gets another change of headgear to try and improve the situation. Risky at present.

Form: P-P3738

Pardon Me⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins| OR: 105

18/1

Couple of placed efforts in novice hurdles offers some hope, not really progressing in handicap hurdles as yet but looks in need of this sort of trip and given it's still early days, it's possible she could do better here.

Form: 6239F6

Aclassagold⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: D Faulkner| OR: 104

9/1

No more than glimpses of ability in novice hurdles but was quite highly tried, and was quietly fancied to run well on handicap debut at Sedgefield, only to disappoint. Better ground here may help, and the advice is to watch the market for a clue.

Form: 088855

Gold Runner¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 103

16/1

Looked an improved performer when travelling well and finishing second at Ayr two starts back, but looked a hard ride at Hexham last time, hanging badly and finished tailed off. Ability clearly there if they can iron out the quirks.

Form: 676729

Fortia¹³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 103

14/1

Only beaten a neck in a novice hurdle at Worcester last year but that form isn't strong, and she was well beaten on her handicap debut at Chepstow in November. Not seen since, but in good hands and may improve.

Form: 4230

Montys Angel⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: D E Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 103

10/1

Irish raider, been in reasonable form this season and not beaten that far in any of his last three handicap starts but overall record of 0-16 a slight concern, and young rider yet to have his first winner (although looks useful).

Form: 4-U2334

Panic And Run⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 103

6/1

Only had the two handicap starts but has shown ability and was seen plugging on at Ludlow last time. Slight drop back in trip not ideal but many from the yard improve for experience and he may well do so again here.

Form: 5-59645

Oscar Nomination²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁵⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 101

7/1

Very well backed to score on handicap debut at Market Rasen three weeks ago, but only just got his head in front and is now 4lb higher here. This is a tougher race too, so he needs more, but clearly in good heart and has to be considered.

Form: 4-22451

Just Call Me Al²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Joe Williamson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 100

12/1

Placed in a bumper but since then it's been all downhill, as such looks well treated for handicap debut today but worryingly was tried in a tongue-tie last time (missing here) so may have issues. Risky.

Form: 4-29745

See Forever²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: P R Webber| OR: 98

33/1

Hasn't shown much in five starts, although her Leicester fourth In January offers some hope, but didn't look the most cooperative at Huntingdon last time and may have her quirks. Others preferred.

Form: 2-03B46

Passing Oceans²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 97

16/1

His fourth to The Some Dance Kid at Bangor in December is a useful piece of form, two moderate efforts since but step into handicap company here offers him a better chance and he's definitely one to keep an eye on in the betting.

Form: 50460

Mercer's Troop⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 102

11/4

Disappointing when made favourite at Warwick two starts back but put that behind him when successful at Uttoxeter last time and is clearly improving. Upped in trip, which asks a new question, but every chance of following up if he stays.

Form: 077291

Non-Runners

Iusetaluvheronce²²⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: Tim Vaughan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mercer's Troop (11/4), Panic And Run (6/1), Oscar Nomination (7/1), Lord Marmaduke (8/1), Aclassagold (9/1), Montys Angel (10/1), Just Call Me Al (12/1), Fortia (14/1), Potters Sapphire (14/1), Gold Runner (16/1), Passing Oceans (16/1), Pardon Me (18/1), Iusetaluvheronce (25/1), See Forever (33/1)

Quantity rather than quality and a race further complicated by a possible lack of pace, with not one of these having made the running in any of their last three starts. So some caution is advised. If they do go a slow gallop, that's only going to suit MERCER'S TROOP who had the speed to win over 2m last time, and surely has better to come. Passing Oceans has caught the eye a couple of times and stepping into handicaps today, is worth a second look. Gold Runner would hold claims if you can forgive his Hexham effort last time and is another to watch in the market. Lord Marmaduke is a potential improver and Irish raider Monty's Angel cannot be discounted.