16:10 Wincanton

Thursday 5 March 2020

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Read Davy Russell's Exclusive Blog starsportsbet.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 50.90s

Smackwater Jack⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 130| BF| D

7/1

Returning from a short break when falling at the first in a 2m7f handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (soft) last week. Notable runner having run well off a 1lb higher mark when fourth in a Listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, soft) in November.

Form: 04-247F

Duc De Beauchene^t⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 129| D

9/1

Impressed when winning by 3L in a big field 2m5f handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (soft) in November when making his first appearance since wind surgery. Likely capable of putting subsequent disappointing effort over this C&D behind him.

Form: 412-017

Collooney^t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 127

6/1

Placed on handicap debut over an extended 2m4f at Market Rasen (good) last April but disappointed when sixth over this C&D in December on his first start since wind surgery. Of interest on return from a break.

Form: 12123-6

Hygrove Percy^p1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127

12/1

Four time hurdles winner including by 10L at Fontwell (2m3f, soft) in October. Finished fourth on two of his three subsequent starts and wears cheekpieces for the first time having been beaten 9¾L over 2m4f here last time out.

Form: 46/1474

Earth Moor¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 126

4/1

Good second over 2m4f on soft ground here at the end of January. Disappointed at Kempton (2m5f, good-to-soft) last time out and is interesting racing off a mark 9lb higher than when successful at Taunton (2m3f, soft) in January.

Form: 211-120

Cilaos Glace⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 125WS

14/1

Twice a winner over hurdles last spring and returns to hurdles having disappointed twice over fences including when unseating at Leicester (2m4f, good-to-soft) in December. Worth a check in the market on his first appearance since wind surgery.

Form: 7611-8U

Kuiper Belt¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams| OR: 123

100/1

Struggled in three starts since joining this stable from Gordon Elliott incluidng when 70L last of 17 at Kempton (2m5f, good-to-soft) last month. Handicap mark is falling as a result and market support would be notable.

Form: 2-78P00

Midnight Midge^h¹⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: R J Hodges| OR: 123| C

7/2

Dual winner for Chris Down earlier this season including when victorious by 3L over 2m4f on good-to-soft here in November. Rejoined this stable since and holds strong claims off a mark 6lb higher than for his latest success.

Form: 1622-11

Darsi In The Park²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120

7/1

Returning from a break when registering an impressive 7L victory in a maiden hurdle over 2m at Uttoxeter (heavy) last month. Shaped as if further would suit and is one to note upped in trip on handicap debut.

Form: U18/8-U1

Demon Fou⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 118| CD

10/1

Finished fourth on all three starts since winning over C&D on good ground here in October. Returning from a break having been beaten 10L on heavy ground over this C&D in December.

Form: 3-41444

Uno Mas¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Christian Williams| OR: 104

25/1

Six time winner over hurdles but has struggled of late including when 32L fifth over 2m4f at Sedgefield (heavy) last month. Worth a check in the market racing off a mark 11lb lower than when winning at Cheltenham (2m1f, good) last April.

Form: 500975

Non-Runners

Lungarno Palace³⁵

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Midnight Midge (7/2), Earth Moor (4/1), Collooney (6/1), Darsi In The Park (7/1), Smackwater Jack (7/1), Duc De Beauchene (9/1), Demon Fou (10/1), Hygrove Percy (12/1), Lungarno Palace (14/1), Cilaos Glace (14/1), Uno Mas (25/1), Kuiper Belt (100/1)

The application of cheekpieces can see HYGROVE PERCY return to winning ways with a victory in this competitive looking event. The selection has the forecast underfoot conditions to suit and he can get the better of the hat-trick seeing Midnight Midge who is returning from a break while impressive maiden hurdle winner and handicap debutant Darsi In The Park can finish third.