Rand Farm Park Selling Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:06 | Winning time: 4m 5.50s

Ninepointsixthree^b¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: S England| OR: 122| CD

11/2

Won by 24L at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) in January but his temperament has been a problem since; refusing to race twice before finishing third at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) last time having been reluctant to race. Has the ability if he fancies it.

Form: 41PR-P3

Percy⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 122

12/1

Four moderate runs on the Flat this year after joining Frank Bishop. Makes stable debut after being picked up for £4,200 earlier this month. Won over hurdles for Gordon Elliott (2m3f) in March 2018 but seems to be regressive and is best watched now.

Form: 517/68-

Baracalu^p1⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 113| BF

7/4

Has some placings in maiden/novice company to his name that give him each-way chances here at worst. Only his second start for connections and any money makes him even more interesting and he has chances in a weak event.

Form: 842/43-3

Minella Fiveo²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 107| CD

4/1

Back off the same mark as when winning this event 12 months ago. He then followed up off 3lb higher here in January. Well beaten in both starts this season but yard are in good form at the moment and sure to make a bold bid to repeat the feat.

Form: 653-688

The Herds Garden^p⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 106

5/1

Travelled well when winning at Kelso (2m2f, good) in September but weakened tamely there (2m, good) last time two months ago. Best form is on better ground and he's never won off a mark this high so on balance is worth opposing.

Form: 682415

Dew Pond^b,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 96

4/1

Has scored five times on the Flat but is 0-8 over hurdles so far. His last hurdles outing came at Sedgfield (2m1f) 30 days when he was beaten 29L despite being fit from the Flat. Can't be ignored on his hurdling best but needs to bounce back.

Form: 44234-6

Port Lairge²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Pte Alexandra Bell⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 65

50/1

Hasn't won since 2015 and is a maiden in 15 starts over hurdles showing poor form throughout the last three seasons. Tailed off when falling two out at Southwell (1m7½f, soft) last time and impossible to fancy.

Form: 0856-0F

Forecasts

Baracalu (7/4), Dew Pond (4/1), Minella Fiveo (4/1), The Herds Garden (5/1), Ninepointsixthree (11/2), Percy (12/1), Port Lairge (50/1)

Despite being an eight-year-old, BARACALU is still unexposed and makes his handicap debut with first-time cheekpieces in a fairly weak event. He has shown fair form over hurdles already and can get off the mark over obstacles. Minella Fiveo won this corresponding event off this mark twelve months ago and can't be ruled out with his yard now in good form whilst Ninepointsixthree has the ability to win a race such as this but his temperament makes him a risky proposition.