14:35 Redcar

Friday 18 October 2019

All13:3514:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:4517:20

Sam Hall Memorial Handicap

3YO plus | Class 5 | 1m 5f 218y | 12 Runners | Turf

(4)

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: George Wood| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 76| BF

Bridesmaid on all his first three starts in novice company, when he proved he handles soft. Beaten favourite on his handicap debut at Chester (1m6½f, soft) last time. Takes immediate drop in grade and needs to bounce back.

Form: 22-26

(3)

Joie De Vivre^t1⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: D Nolan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 69

Won a soft ground 0-70 Thirsk handicap (1m4f) in June, when 2lb lower. Well below that level in two further starts. Will probably stay, and if tongue-tie helps she is not ruled out.

Form: 534-139

(12)

Air Force Amy¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁵⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 75| BF

Easy winner of an apprentice handicap at Pontefract (1m4f, good to soft) last month, when 6lb lower. Below that level on AW last time. Yet to race on ground as deep as this, but if handling it she could go close.

Form: 772414

(5)

Canny Style^t¹⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 67

Multiple winner at up to 1m5f in this code, and handles heavy. Hasn't won on the Flat since August 2017, but has only raced four times since. Would have claims if back at that level, but needs to put two poor efforts behind him.

Form: 1132/97-

(7)

Rayna's World²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Nick Barratt-Atkin⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 65

Dual winner at up to 1m4f, both on testing ground. Has lost her way since the second of those successes in April 2018. Mark now tumbling, but can only watch unless there is a significant market move for her.

Form: 0-77008

(10)

Cornerstone Lad¹⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: G Lee| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 65| BF

Mudlark and useful multiple-winning hurdler (BHA rating 142) who was only just held by his stablemate over 2m1f (heavy) on his most recent Flat outing in May. Yet to win when fresh, but has to enter calculations.

Form: 8513/5-2

(1)

Lord Halifax^t1¹⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 72

Improving gradually and went close in a Wolverhampton handicap (1m4f, AW) when last seen in July. Up again in trip (half-brother to 2m1f hurdle winner). Enters handicaps on a fair mark and in a tongue-tie. Handles soft. Interesting.

Form: 942

(11)

Paris Protocol^v²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: M Walford| OR: 63

1-15 on the Flat (won over 1m on good to soft at two). Comfortable winner over hurdles at Market Rasen last time (2m2½f, good; first-time visor) so arrives in form and a 6lb drop in this code could see him come into this.

Form: 54/08-96

(2)

Fox Fearless⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: K R Burke| OR: 68

Went close a couple of times for Ralph Beckett, as a juvenile last year. Well held on all four starts for this trainer in 2019. Has dropped a total of 12lb for that, but even with this pilot up, it takes a leap of faith to see him winning.

Form: 22-3576

(6)

Flash Point³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Cam Hardie| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 67

Was improving with each run until being well held when stepped up to 2m on fast ground at Musselburgh last time (raced keenly). Slight drop in trip could help, as may a drop of 2lb, but needs to settle better to have any chance.

Form: 35557

(9)

Ho Whole Dream³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65

Big prices and well held on all three starts in novice/maiden company. Initial mark looks stiff based on those efforts, so probably one to watch unless market vibes are strong.

Form: 075

(8)

Fantastic Ms Fox²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 63| BF| CD

Won a maiden handicap over C&D (good to firm) in May, when 4lb lower. Very consistent in making the frame from today's mark in all her last four starts. Acts on soft (unraced on heavy). Should again be thereabouts.

Form: 443323

Forecasts

Air Force Amy (10/3), Cornerstone Lad (4/1), Lord Halifax (5/1), Fantastic Ms Fox (6/1), Wolf Prince (7/1), Joie De Vivre (10/1), Paris Protocol (12/1), Fox Fearless (16/1), Ho Whole Dream (20/1), Rayna's World (25/1), Flash Point (25/1), Canny Style (33/1)

Wolf Prince is interesting on just his second handicap start. He may simply not have handled Chester last time, and could bounce back, so he is feared. Joie De Vivre and Air Force Amy probably have the ability to have a say, but both have a little to prove after their latest efforts. Cornerstone Lad is classy over jumps, but not as good in this sphere. Even so, he is entitled to plenty of respect, while Fantastic Ms Fox also has claims. However, the suggestion is handicap newcomer LORD HALIFAX, who may be able to break his duck now upped in trip.