Flat Jockeys Can Jump Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 4m 14.29s

Ruacana^p⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Racheal Kneller| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 112| C| D

13/8

Useful at his peak (rated in the 140's); took advantage of a marked drop in the weights to score over slightly further here at the last meeting. Fortunate winner, leader (Barntown) fell at the last, now has a 7lb penalty to carry; follow up possible.

Form: 0/564-51

Karakoram¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: D C Costello| T: G Harris| OR: 115| D

15/8

Like his small yard has been in good form of late running just as well when placed last time as he had the time before when winning at Ludlow. Proved himself off this mark last time and should run another sound race with conditions to suit.

Form: 357-313

Flaminger²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: S W Kelly| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110

13/2

Just the one French run before being transferred to this yard running well in a couple of minor events from the front around Fontwell before running below-par when last seen (against two useful sorts). Handicap debut against some in-form types.

Form: 25223-

The Game Is A Foot³¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Tim Clark| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 110| CD

16/1

Won this in 2017 (one of his two course wins); that win coming in a real purple patch (won four out of five). Shaped well after nearly a year off last time but will need to be better than ever as a 12yo to fend off the others from this mark.

Form: 11141/3-

O'Rahilly¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Phil Dennis| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 98

9/2

Looked to be heading in the right direction when taking fourth on handicap debut at Plumpton over 2m (trip looked on the short side). Below-par on his second start in this sphere at the same course but upped to 2m4f; hood off, questions to answer.

Form: P/P4-746

Non-Runners

Shimba Hills¹⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 8

T: Mrs L Hill J:

Forecasts

Ruacana (13/8), Karakoram (15/8), O'Rahilly (9/2), Flaminger (13/2), The Game Is A Foot (16/1), Shimba Hills (16/1)

Zoe Davidson took this race with The Game Is A Foot in 2017 and bids to take the contest again not only with that horse but also with two other contenders. Here winner of two years ago have a reasonable chance but he’s a 12yo now and it would take a good performance to win this off today’s mark. She would have a far better chance with RUACANA who may have been slightly fortunate to beat Barntown (runs in the 2.30 here) last time when that one capsized at the last but is still well handicapped on his old form. Karakoram looks the biggest danger to the Davidson domination having run well of late with Dougie Costello no stranger to riding hurdles winners.