15:35 Stratford

Sunday 14 July 2019

All14:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Happy Birthday George Wood Handicap Hurdle (For The Stratford Summer Salver)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 53.6s

Peruvien Bleu⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 130| D

11/1

In good form, hitting the frame in handicaps three starts in a row before veering and unseasting his rider at the start in a good Warwick contest. Up another 4lb so more required but could easily bounce back and be involved.

Form: P633-2U

Mystic Sky^b¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Maxime Tissier⁽⁵⁾| T: L Wadham| OR: 129| D

5/1

Has returned in fine form with a seventh in a valuable Plumpton and an improved win at Warwick. Not disgraced at Cartmel since but could have done with a stronger speed to aim at.. Capable of defying this mark and one to consider.

Form: 1277-14

Adjutant²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 130| CD

9/2

Fair on the Flat for Brian Meehan and opened account at second time of asking with C&D win before impressively backing it up again here (despite some trouble in the run). Progressing quickly so every chance off this mark on handicap debut.

Form: 7-11

Teqany^t²⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122| D

6/1

Tongue tied when gaining recent victories last October over hurdles at Gowran, and over fences at Tramore, although held when left clear at the last for latter win. Won fresh last year but much more needed off revised mark.

Form: 16311-

Swaffham Bulbeck^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 119| BF| D

7/1

Stablemate of Adjutant for a yard and jockey in fine form. Proving consistent without necessarily progressing in maiden and novice company but every chance of being involved off this decent opening handicap mark.

Form: 5/2231-2

Steel Wave^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: G Hanmer| OR: 118

12/1

Formerly based in Ireland with Willie Mullins (sold for £21,000 last October); has blossomed over fences for this trainer winning back-to-back races at Bangor and then losing a shoe when up in class. Mark looks very high back over hurdles.

Form: 43-3115

Chieftain's Choice^v1⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Frost| OR: 117| CD

7/1

Handicap mark is falling now but still remains 2lb higher than last win from December 2018. Has been a fair bit below that level in four starts this year and now a first time visor needs to bring him right back to his best.

Form: 14089-3

Pershing^h⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: K Frost| OR: 115| D

8/1

Gained just a second career win when making it two from two for Richard Johnson at Huntingdon last time. Up significantly in weight and class and while he can't be dismissed with a repeat, this will prove tougher.

Form: 42/659-1

Ravenous¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: L A Dace| OR: 108

5/1

In decent enough form on the Flat but yet to win in 11 starts over hurdles. Ran well though in a fast run race at Kempton in May that was right up to his very best over hurdles. Can be involved again off this current mark.

Form: 64/723-4

Non-Runners

Cyrius Moriviere¹⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 9

T: D L Williams J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Adjutant (9/2), Mystic Sky (5/1), Ravenous (5/1), Teqany (6/1), Chieftain's Choice (7/1), Swaffham Bulbeck (7/1), Pershing (8/1), Peruvien Bleu (11/1), Steel Wave (12/1), Cyrius Moriviere (50/1)

The last two hurdle runs of Ravenous have been backed up by quick times and with him liking to race on the pace, he's likely to make sure it's a true test and holds every chance. That brings in Mystic Sky who needs to run off a strong tempo and she's taken to bounce back. Swaffham Bulbeck has a decent opening mark but doesn't have the progressive profile of his stablemate ADJUTANT who is taken to make a winning start in handicaps.