16:40 Chester
Friday 14 August 2020
All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1017:40
School Of Hard Knocks Handicap
- 3YO plus  |  Class 3  |  1m 2f 70y  |  Good to Soft  |  13 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:42Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 12.95s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Had a fine 2019 and successful again at Hamilton (8.3f) on penultimate start (awarded race when Hortzadar rider weighed in light). Good fifth at Thirsk (1m) since and he should go well again.
Prominent racer who was successful 3 times in a productive 2019. Creditable third to Restorer on Newbury return but down the field both outings since. Still, booking of Kingscote catches the eye.
Won 3 handicaps in 2017 (including here) and shaped as if retaining a good chunk of his ability when fifth on belated return at Newmarket (1m) in June. Hasn't quite scaled same heights since, though.
Landed both starts in novice events as a 3-y-o, latterly under a penalty at Newcastle (10f) in November. Too free on return/handicap debut at Newbury last month
Dual scorer at 10f on turf last summer but out of sorts on AW towards back end of last year and similar story upon returning in recent months. Mark is sliding all the time but draw in 13 not ideal.
All the better for his return when runner-up at Hamilton (9f) in June, noted keeping on from over 1f out. Subsequent exploits not so good though, and he does need to bounce back.
Reappeared with Newcastle win in June and not disgraced all 3 starts since, including over further here 4 days ago. No reason why he won't give another good account.
Resumed winning ways over 1m at Kempton (1m) in January and not disgraced when midfield at Newmarket (7f) latest, shaping like a return to further would suit ideally. Cheekpieces back on.
Returned in good order, twice finding only one too good in handicaps at Pontefract/York in recent weeks. No reason why he won't go well again.
Returned in grand order, making it 3 wins from 4 starts at Pontefract (10f) last month, not doing much when hitting the front but impressing in how he travelled. Possibilities from 5 lb higher mark.
Continued theme of race-by-race progress when making a winning yard debut at Haydock (1m) in June. Possible more of a test would have suited at Ascot since and he remains one to be interested in.
Encouraging fourth on yard debut at Haydock but little impact all 3 starts since, including over C&D on Monday. Visor again the headgear of choice.
Confirmed promise of his Ascot run when landing 6-runner Windsor handicap (11.5f) early last month. Built on that when third at Goodwood (11f) 2 weeks ago and no surprise to see him in the mix.
Forecasts
Strait Of Hormuz (4/1), Berkshire Savvy (4/1), Gabrial The One (9/2), Highwaygrey (13/2), Hot Team (17/2), Kryptos (10/1), Lawn Ranger (12/1), Tonyx (14/1), Music Seeker (14/1), Where's Jeff (28/1), Lunar Jet (33/1), Redarna (40/1), Candelisa (50/1)
STRAIT OF HORMUZ got the better of a pair of upwardly mobile sorts when winning on return/yard debut at Haydock (1m) and likely would have made more of an impact granted a stronger gallop when midfield at Ascot subsequently. The step up to 1¼m is well worth exploring and he gets the nod from a handy draw. Highwaygrey is much improved this term and feared, along with another 3-y-o Berkshire Savvy.
- STRAIT OF HORMUZ (IRE)
- HIGHWAYGREY
- BERKSHIRE SAVVY
Prize Money
1st: £9,962.002nd: £2,964.003rd: £1,481.004th: £741.00
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