14:40 Huntingdon

Monday 27 May 2019

All13:3013:3514:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Boongate Kia Stonic Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 46.30s

Nachi Falls^h1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 102

13/2

Went close at Plumpton in April but hasn't backed that up in two tame efforts since. Eased 3lb since last run and first-time hood applied but still has plenty to prove.

Form: 58P20-5

Pershing^h³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: K Frost| OR: 100| D

17/2

Only win in 36 starts under both codes came in Southwell selling hurdle when ridden for the only time by today's jockey. Very lightly raced of late and hasn't shown much, but is feasibly handicapped on pick of old form and booking takes the eye.

Form: 142/659-

Chilli Romance^t¹⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 100| D

10/1

Gained due reward for some fair efforts when landing Leicester mares novice h'cap hurdle last time with a bit to spare. 8lb rise looks tough but jockey claims 5lb back so should be thereabouts.

Form: 8/43391-

Bridey's Lettuce³⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 99

25/1

Seemed to produce much improved effort when second at 33/1 at Uttoxeter in June 2018, but not seen since. Fitness must be taken on trust and market may guide as to expectations after long absence.

Form: 0637/P2-

Jacobite Rising^t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C Poste| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 97| D

9/2

Landed Worcester novice hurdle in August 2017 but was absent 18 months prior to return this February and has run badly all three starts since. Hard to see him figuring despite further 5lb drop.

Form: 414/088-

Pepper Street²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 100

25/1

Won Ffos Las 1m6f h'cap last summer for Hugo Plamer and was fair third on hurdles bow for new yard at Wetherby in November. Not followed that up in two subsequent outings and despite modest mark on handicap bow has something to prove.

Form: 36-4

Mulsanne Chase^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: C R Dore| OR: 96

100/1

Moderate Flat handicapper at up to 1m5f. Has shown precious little in three starts over timber, and despite representing last year's winning yard he is hard to fancy on handicap debut.

Form: 7P-6

Sweeping Rock^p³¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: J E Moore| T: J L Spearing| OR: 94| D

28/1

Landed Worcester novices handicap hurdle in 2017 but has been very lightly raced in recent season and has clearly had issues. Not seen since running fair race following wind surgery more than 10 months ago. Jockey booking is interesting though.

Form: 463/467-

St George's Oval^p,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Shoemark| T: L Egerton| OR: 88

7/2

19-race maiden but has placed in two of last three starts and was solid runner-up last time at Market Rasen. Runs off same mark so has place claims again but clearly finds winning quite a challenge.

Form: 75035-2

Chef De Troupe²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 88

11/2

Ex-French winning Flat racer but has been disappointing in four starts since joining good trainer this side of the Channel. Tailed off latest following wind surgery and despite low handicap mark needs to take a big step forward to figure.

Form: P95-7

Highly Likely^b,t¹⁸⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Joshua Moore| T: R Woodman| OR: 83

100/1

Only win 39 starts came on AW over six years ago. 66/1 and behind from halfway before pulling up at Plumpton last time and appears to have a mountain to climb yet again.

Form: 7857P-

Gin And Tonic^b¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: M Wigham| OR: 81| D

5/1

Only modest but has placed in three of last five handicap hurdles, including when well held second at Plumpton latest. Runs off same mark and may plug on for a place if race falls apart.

Form: P2389-2

Forecasts

St George's Oval (7/2), Jacobite Rising (9/2), Gin And Tonic (5/1), Chef De Troupe (11/2), Nachi Falls (13/2), Pershing (17/2), Chilli Romance (10/1), Bridey's Lettuce (25/1), Pepper Street (25/1), Sweeping Rock (28/1), Mulsanne Chase (100/1), Highly Likely (100/1)

It's hard to be too confident about any of these but Richard Johnson is 1-1 on PERSHING and the fact that the champion is back on board may suggest connections are hopeful of a big run. Chili Romance won well enough last time and should make a bold bid off her revised mark, and St George's Oval and Gin And Tonic both have placed form in recent weeks. Look out for any market interest for Sweeping Rock or Bridey's Lettuce who both could be capable of figuring if ready to roll.