15:55 Huntingdon

Thursday 9 May 2019

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:55

MansionBet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 51.0s

Mixchievous^p1⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 112

20/1

Had a hard race when scoring over fences at Ffos Las and he has looked a reluctant participant in his two starts since. Back over hurdles with headgear fitted, but he does not appear one who can be trusted.

Form: 57/61RP-

Regulation^t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 110| D

33/1

Nine-time dual purpose scorer who landed a selling hurdle at Leicester in January. Seems to struggle these days outside of plating class company.

Form: 71075F-

Caro Des Flos²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 110

33/1

Ex-Irish hurdler (was with Willie Mullins) who won a novice hurdle on his final start for that yard. Has shown very little for his current yard but he is dropped in class and the handicapper has shown some mercy.

Form: 5/10P00-

Mr Dorrell Sage³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 110

11/2

The form of his Fontwell victory a year ago place him on a nice mark here. Looked strong until lack of a run told last time and he looks dangerous here if able to build on that.

Form: 1F8675-

Oxford Blu⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 109

12/1

Well-backed and was in the process of showing much improved form last time before coming down two out. Has dropped another pound in the weights and any rain would increase his chances.

Form: 0/7695F-

Land League^p1,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 109

6/1

Best form has come over shorter but he is better handicapped now than on previous attempts at this sort of trip. Appeared to be coming to hand at Chepstow and headgear now applied,

Form: 6443/04-

Doctor Haze³⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 109| D

22/1

Point-to-point winner who has failed to build on a promising rules debut in 2017. Back from a year off with questions to answer.

Form: 1273P/P-

Moroval¹³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Graham Carson⁽⁷⁾| T: Tracey Leeson| OR: 108

100/1

Has struggled in three starts since returning to action following a 12-month absence. Debuts for a new yard after another absence and best watched.

Form: 7P/F750-

Bucaneros^p,t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 103

10/1

Yet to fully fire in five starts but he is a scopey individual who has improvement in him. Current mark still gives him a lot to find and others preferred.

Form: 0P6P5-

Finula^t⁴⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 102| C

10/11

Sole career victory came here in 2016 when a 50/1 outsider. Off since Boxing Day 2017 and poor when last seen, but in capable hands and no surprise if the market anticipates a revival.

Form: 625U6P/

Non-Runners

The Lincoln Lawyer²⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: C J Mann J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Finula (10/11), Mr Dorrell Sage (11/2), Land League (6/1), Bucaneros (10/1), The Lincoln Lawyer (10/1), Oxford Blu (12/1), Mixchievous (20/1), Doctor Haze (22/1), Caro Des Flos (33/1), Regulation (33/1), Moroval (100/1)

Oxford Blu is another possible winner on the card for Olly Murphy's team given he was in contention before falling two out having been backed to produce a big run. Softer ground would help and as such the vote goes to MR DORRELL SAGE. The six-year-old is well-handicapped if taking last year's Fontwell victory at face value. The way he travelled into a challenging position last time suggests that ability is there and he will be fitter for the run. Finula will be a threat to all if Dan Skelton can bring out her best, but it is more than two years since she showed her best and he faces a mammoth challenge.