EWGA Racing Excellence 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle (Conditional/Amateur)

Off time: 17:47 | Winning time: 4m 18.8s

Cape Hideaway^v²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Galligan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 104

6/4

Took advantage of a tumbling mark wearing a first-time visor to take an amateur riders' handicap hurdle at Perth (2m, good) last time out. Visor retained and with a 6lb rise looking far from harsh he should have a decent chance of following up.

Form: 00-8571

Canford Thompson³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Macdonald⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 102| BF

6/1

Promising start for this yard having won his final start for his previous yard (Neil King) although that was off a 13lb lower mark. Form rather gone into reverse of late (disappointed twice here); ground a concern, difficult at start last time.

Form: 261-247

Think Ahead^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 101| CD

4/1

C&D winner (sole win) with his form since being of the more miss than hit variety although he was very highly tried last time in a C&D 0-130 handicap last time. Given a more acceptable task this time around, he's not one for maximum faith.

Form: PP-2335

Mighty Whitey^t³³

Age: 13| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryan Carver| T: N C Kelly| OR: 91| CD

4/1

A C&D winner on his first visit here (wore first-time cheekpieces) that remains his most recent win (now slipped 8lb below that mark). Ran better than for quite some time returned to C&D last time; veteran but holds some modest appeal.

Form: 5/0VF-63

Oborne Lady³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr Matthew Fielding⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 87

16/1

Managed to take a modest second over 3m here in May (small-field handicap) but failed to build on that rather dubious effort at Uttoxeter (pulled up). Fared little better on the Flat last time, better propositions are available in this finale.

Form: PV7P-2P

Jeremy's Jet^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: A W Carroll| OR: 86

6/1

Hardly has the most appealing career profile 1-48 but has less convictions over hurdles (0-11); shaped well last time at Uttoxeter (second best horse in the race). Repeat of that under a very competent pilot would make him interesting.

Form: 59/584-3

Leannes Lady²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Joe Williamson| T: A Berry| OR: 67

33/1

Poor maiden who faces a very stiff task from 11lb out of the handicap having been pulled up on her two most recent hurdles starts. Even at this modest level she would be a surprise winner.

Form: 37P-7PP

Forecasts

Cape Hideaway (6/4), Think Ahead (4/1), Mighty Whitey (4/1), Canford Thompson (6/1), Jeremy's Jet (6/1), Oborne Lady (16/1), Leannes Lady (33/1)

Hope springs eternal for all of these as the winner of this last year was getting off the mark at the 71st attempt. Cape Hideaway doesn’t have that problem to deal with having won his latest start this weak affair gives him a good chance of following up off just a 6lb higher mark, he’s still well handicapped on his old form. Neither Mighty Whitey nor Think Ahead can be written off with both having some positive points in their favour but a chance is taken that JEREMY’S JET can improve his very modest career record. A reproduction of his last run where he shaped well to finish third to one who was far better than the grade would see him go close; market positivity would give extra confidence.