14:10 Fakenham
Tuesday 17 December 2019
All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:10
Norfolk Hospice Monopoly Board Game Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 3y  |  Good to Soft (Soft in Places)  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 15.6s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Winner of two of his last three starts, including on latest when winning from the front at Musselburgh; handicapper reacts with a 9lb rise, and may want the rain to stay away, but clearly in good heart in a bid to follow that up.
Definite signs of ability in three novice hurdle starts, although in truth has looked ready for a step up in trip, so this quick 2m may not suit; realistically handicapped though and ought to improve, so can't be discounted on handicap debut today.
Last couple of runs have seen him finishing off his race quite well, and it has to be asked whether a bare 2m is really what's required for him to show his best; probably a race in him off this mark, but may have to wait for another day.
Pops up from time to time and is now back on last winning mark, so no qualms from that point of view; should strip fitter for a recent run, has a C&D win (in a seller) to his name and any money for him today needs noting.
Winner on the Flat (9½f) in Ireland this summer, joined this yard in the autumn and in truth, been a little disappointing, twice a beaten favourite already; opening handicap mark not a gimme, but should be capable of improvement, and not ruled out.
Was a winner at Wincanton last month, but that race rather fell apart (leaders went too quickly) and he was well beaten when trying to follow up; new mark has kicked in now too, so needs more, and on balance, others make more appeal.
Wasn't going anywhere until a change of yard saw an improved effort at Market Rasen a fortnight ago, finishing fourth; every chance of building on that, and yard capable of landing the odd gamble; wears a tongue tie for the first time.
Was found a little race at Uttoxeter back in October, after which she changed connections; disappointing at Hereford last time and she probably has her quirks, but this track may keep her interested and has chances if bouncing back.
Winner over 11f on the Flat in the late summer, after which she was purchased by current connections; outclassed in three novice hurdles but gets a workable mark to start off handicapping with, and this a suitable test; not discounted.
Winner (for Jonathan Portman) on the Flat back in 2018 but four starts for this yard have revealed little in the way of hurdling ability; last on handicap debut at Sedgefield, needs improvement to get involved.
6f/7f horse on the Flat, so stamina will always be a question over hurdles; only modest in that sphere anyway, has shown little in three hurdles starts and although going handicapping offers him a more realistic chance, others hold stronger claims.
Forecasts
Swilly Sunset (10/3), Olympic Honour (7/2), Highway To Success (4/1), Hen (7/1), Justice Knight (8/1), Highate Hill (11/1), Collodi (12/1), Eurkash (14/1), Queen's Soldier (20/1), Homing Star (40/1), Essential (50/1)
Another wide open handicap. Plenty will side with justice Knight after his easy win at Musselburgh and similar tactics around this tight track will make him hard to catch, but there is a lurker in the shape of SWILLY SUNSET, who was rated 80 at his peak on the Flat a couple of years ago and appeared to be perked up by a change of yard when a staying-on fourth at Market Rasen last time. If his new yard have indeed recaptured some of his old ability he looks very well handicapped here, and the tongue tie makes him even more interesting. Olympic Honour /b> is young enough to do better, Collodi is on a dangerous mark, and Queen's Soldier has potential for better too.
- Swilly Sunset
- Justice Knight
- Queen's Soldier
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £4,809.002nd: £1,412.003rd: £706.004th: £353.005th: £350.006th: £350.007th: £350.008th: £350.00
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