14:50 Huntingdon

Saturday 23 November 2019

All11:5512:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

DRC Blinds Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 6m 38.4s

Aengus^p¹⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Thomas Dowson| T: J Candlish| OR: 106| D

18/1

Must give weight away all round and was in dire form at the end of last season when pulled-up at Stratford (3m2f; good to soft). Will likely need this reappearance run, and is best watched until showing more encouragement.

Form: 7PP-33P

Cyclop^p,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 105| C

9/2

Ran better than was expected when fifth over hurdles at Chepstow (2m7f; good to soft). That was a step back in the right direction after a dire run of form, but he does need to build on that effort.

Form: 4PU/PP-5

Peter's Portrait²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁶⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 105

7/2

Yet to win a race, but has only had the four starts over hurdles. Did little wrong on return to action when third at Huntingdon (3m1f; good). Is up against a whole host of exposed rivals, so has major claims of shedding maiden tag.

Form: 1F4-33

North Star Oscar^h,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Teal⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 104| BF

3/1

Unable to follow-up Worcester (2m4f; good to soft) win when only third at Wetherby (2m5f; soft) most recently. Steps up again in trip, and needs to prove stamina in a race where others do not. Bang there on form though.

Form: 136413

Moroval¹⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Hicks⁽⁷⁾| T: Tracey Leeson| OR: 100

66/1

Produced two meagre efforts over hurdles at the backend of last season after joining this stable. Has experience over fences, but not won in five starts over the larger obstacles. Virtually impossible to fancy, and is confidently opposed.

Form: F750-74

Classic Tune^t²²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 100

22/1

Promising effort when last seen at Bangor (2m3f; good) in April to finish second. Steps up markedly in trip off a 5lb higher mark on his seasonal reappearance now though. Has questions to answer.

Form: 4P8742-

Silent Encore^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: B I Case| OR: 95

5/1

May be a 17-race maiden, but hasn't finished out of the placings in any of his last three runs. Runner-up over C&D to an in-form rival who has since gone in again. Definite shortlist material who needs taken seriously.

Form: 4PP-232

Alanjou³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: F Brennan| OR: 93| CD

11/2

Has enjoyed a productive time of things since returned to hurdles this year, winning twice. Handicapper looks to have him where he wants him on the basis of his most recent effort when fifth at Ffos Las (3m; soft).

Form: 86-1125

Stonebrigg Legend^p²⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Alexander Thorne⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 79| BF

16/1

Disappointed on her final two starts of last season (sent off favourite on both occasions). Mark is unchanged, so she will need to find improvement from somewhere and that doesn't look likely. One of the outsiders.

Form: 23115-6

Forecasts

North Star Oscar (3/1), Peter's Portrait (7/2), Cyclop (9/2), Silent Encore (5/1), Alanjou (11/2), Stonebrigg Legend (16/1), Aengus (18/1), Classic Tune (22/1), Moroval (66/1)

This is a tricky looking affair with North Star Oscar a leading player. However, he still has his stamina to prove after being beaten each time he has stepped up beyond 2m4f. The perennial bridesmaid Silent Encore found Mr Love too strong when a 15-length second over C&D at the start of the month. However, that rival has since scored again which upgrades that form. However, PETER'S PORTRAIT made an encouraging handicap debut over this trip when third over C&D at the start of the month. Given he has had just the four starts there should be plenty more to come from him and he can shed his maiden tag at the fifth attempt.