15:45 Ffos Las

Thursday 30 January 2020

All13:3514:1014:4515:1515:4516:20

'Happy Birthday Laura' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 6m 57.50s

Dusky Hercules^p⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 109

9/2

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking for connections landing an Exeter novices' handicap hurdle on soft ground over a similar trip off a 4lb lower mark. Could well still have more to give.

Form: 548-391

No Rematch³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 109

7/2

Has shown little to enthuse about in five starts over hurdles including a 35L reversal at Uttoxeter late last month. Best watched on this occasion unless the market has other ideas.

Form: 242-0F4

Norwegian Woods³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 109| D

25/1

Was being given chances by the handicapper based on previous runs and made that count when 8L winner of 2m4f Southwell handicap hurdle last month. Well held from his revised mark at Wetherby but no surprise to see an improved effort here.

Form: 544F10

Call Me Sid⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P Mason⁽⁷⁾| T: J Mason| OR: 107

11/2

Sole win in eight starts over hurdles came when springing a 100/1 shock at Ludlow 2 years ago. Mixed messages in a couple of starts last month and not a forlorn hope but others look more convincing.

Form: 386-027

Alf 'n' Dor¹⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 104| C

50/1

Struggling over the larger obstacles of late, noted in running for his slow and hesitant jumping. One from nine over hurdles and remains to be seen if the switch to timber will freshen him up.

Form: 41-39P4

The Wallace Line¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 102

9/1

Sole success from 15 starts over hurdles to date came in a three-year-old contest at Fontwell on good ground in October 2014. Well held in a couple of starts around the turn of the year and needs a sizable improvement to mix it here.

Form: 36/0088

Waiheke²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: L Heard| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 102

13/2

Second over 2m3½f at Chepstow in November posting her best performance for some time before another dismal effort at Hereford over 3m1½f on heavy ground earlier this month. Others more compelling.

Form: 707-624

Kestrel Valley^h,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Bargary| T: M Sheppard| OR: 98

10/1

Broke her duck at the 14th attempt at Lingfield over 2m7f on heavy ground last time, when scoring eased down by a wide margin. Life more difficult off a 13lb higher mark.

Form: P-09341

Special Princess⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 93| BF| CD

7/1

Solid form at this track winning on both visits here including a win over C&D in October off a 19lb lower mark. Excuses at Hereford when last seen in December and a leading contender in this company.

Form: 435/11P

Steel Native²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 93| CD

11/1

Course winner that has also won over a similar trip. Has produced a number of disappointing efforts since November and appears to have a bit to prove in this contest.

Form: FP50U6

Way Of The World^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 75

33/1

Miserly return of the sole win in 21 starts over timber. Well down the field in a couple of starts since November and hard to recommend on current evidence.

Form: 33-5685

Forecasts

No Rematch (7/2), Dusky Hercules (9/2), Call Me Sid (11/2), Waiheke (13/2), Special Princess (7/1), The Wallace Line (9/1), Kestrel Valley (10/1), Steel Native (11/1), Norwegian Woods (25/1), Way Of The World (33/1), Alf 'n' Dor (50/1)

DUSKY HERCULES for trainer David Pipe got off the mark at the fifth time of asking for connections landing an Exeter novices' handicap hurdle on soft ground over a similar trip last month and can add to that victory here off a 4lb lower mark. The Shantou gelding can see off the attentions of last time out winner Kestrel Valley and C&D winner Special Princess for trainer Rebecca Curtis. It would come as no surprise to witness improved efforts from the Evan Williams-trained No Rematch and Norwegian Woods for trainer Tim Vaughan.