13:40 Huntingdon

Tuesday 12 November 2019

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

Integral UK Michaelmas Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:43 | Winning time: 3m 48.56s

Sofia's Rock^h,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| D

8/1

Useful on the Flat and has translated that ability to hurdles, winning two of his five starts and finished a respectable third to the classy Silver Streak at Kempton last month; bigger field here will help him settle better, and he has chances.

Form: 131-53

Kobrouk²²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140WS

20/1

Some big absences between starts, so clearly not been the easiest to train; was soon done with in a competitive Aintree hurdle when last seen in April, likely to need this run and overall, a little bit too much to take on trust.

Form: 51F16/P-

Sebastopol²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: T Lacey| OR: 137| D

6/4

Some quality bumper and novice hurdle form to his name, including a close fourth to Supreme runner-up Thomas Darby, and duly made light work of opening mark at Wincanton last month; 10lb rise for that but a big surprise if he doesn't progress again.

Form: 11/43-1

Brandon Castle^h,t²⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 135| BF| D

18/1

Front-runner that only knows the one way, go hard or go home; taken out of the Elite at the weekend as he needs good ground, can go well fresh, and this three-time hurdles winner cannot be allowed too much rope up front.

Form: 111P8-

Lucky Lover Boy^p,t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 129| CD

33/1

Nicely progressive last year and won three times, all at a lower level than today; has had a couple of starts this autumn to get him a bit fitter, and given he's got a C&D win to his name, could go better with conditions in his favour.

Form: 22111-4

Flying Tiger¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 128| D

16/1

Frustrating if talented individual, needs things to drop exactly right for his late-run style, as he tends to find little off the bridle; Brandon Castle in the field will ensure there's a good gallop, which will suit, and he could hit the frame.

Form: U5-05U3

Alcock And Brown⁴⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: W T Kennedy| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

66/1

Easy winner of two handicaps when last seen out, but that was over a year ago now; from this yard, fitness unlikely to be an issue, but this will be his toughest test to date and the combination of the two might just be too much.

Form: 489/611-

Havana Hermano¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 126| D

18/1

Good-looking gelding that won at Fakenham in January and then ran well when a close enough third over this C&D the time after; might have found the ground against him at Cheltenham last time, but still ran well, and may have a part to play here.

Form: 613F-35

Cardigan Bay^h,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125| D

16/1

Has done well this summer/autumn and continued that run with a close second to the useful Pacify at Kempton last time, although a little flattered to get so close; fit and consistent, so no reason not to go well under conditions that suit.

Form: 124712

Highly Prized⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123

9/2

Only had the three starts for this yard and has won two of them, so can't be crabbed for that, and he made all and quickened away at Newton Abbot in the style of a smart horse. Faces competition for the lead here though, and yard a bit quiet.

Form: 51-31

Eddiemaurice²²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: P J Brennan| T: J L Flint| OR: 122| D

40/1

Grand sort that wins in his turn, adaptable and runs over both fences and hurdles; 3lb higher than Ascot win (over fences) when last seen out in March, and given he tends to need a run or two before hitting his peak, best watched here.

Form: 1432U1-

Giving Glances²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 120| D

12/1

Useful last year and took a Listed Fillies hurdle at Doncaster in January; probably needs good ground to show her best, but has plenty of ground to make up on Sebastopol on their latest run.

Form: 1P10-5

Get Back Get Back^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 118| BF

12/1

Useful on the Flat (for Clive Cox), placed both starts over hurdles (that have both been at Huntingdon) but that form falls a long way short of what's needed here. Has looked weak in the finish too, and has plenty on here.

Form: 23

Non-Runners

Song For Someone²²²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 4

T: T Symonds J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sebastopol (6/4), Highly Prized (9/2), Sofia's Rock (8/1), Get Back Get Back (12/1), Song For Someone (12/1), Giving Glances (12/1), Cardigan Bay (16/1), Flying Tiger (16/1), Havana Hermano (18/1), Brandon Castle (18/1), Kobrouk (20/1), Lucky Lover Boy (33/1), Eddiemaurice (40/1), Alcock And Brown (66/1)

SEBASTOPOL was made favourite for the valuable Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham off the back of his impressive Wincanton win, but with the ground looking likely to be on the soft side at the weekend, he dodges that to come here for the better ground and the hint should be taken . He can win this en route to better things. Havana Hermano is another that wants better ground and given that, he ran well at Cheltenham given the ground was against him. He can prove the danger, although plenty can be given a chance - the consistent Cardigan Bay, Sofia's Rock and Song For Someone all make some appeal.