12:45 Hereford

Tuesday 13 October 2020

All12:1512:4513:1513:5014:2314:5815:3316:08

Let's Talk Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 5m 25.13s

Seasearch^t²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray| OR: 100

66/1

Fair on Flat for Andrew Balding. Showed ability in his 3 qualifying runs over hurdles but well held in 2 handicaps last winter. Will need to return with an improved effort.

Form: 04600-

Memphis Bleek²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 100

6/1

Winless following 8 attempts on the level for Ivan Furtado, and yet to trouble the judge for new yard in this sphere.

Form: 698-553

Arty Campbell^b¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 99| CD

9/2

Won this race off a similar mark in 2018. Not at his best when remote third at Ffos Las 12 days ago but no surprise to see him go well back at a venue which clearly suits.

Form: 2/398-43

Agincourt Reef^p²²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: R A Teal| OR: 98

20/1

Back to winning ways at Ludlow (3m) in November 2018. Runner-up here on his next star but hasn't been at his best since, including back from an absence in March. Off another 7 months since.

Form: 13960/8-

Remember The Man²⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: N B King| OR: 98WS

4/1

Fairly useful at best on Flat. Yet to get close to that level over hurdles but his mark has come down and it's always possible a wind op since last seen will have a positive effect. Check betting.

Form: 754446-

Black Lightning^p,t⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 97| D

40/1

First run since leaving Nick Gifford when below form sixth of 13 in handicap hurdle (66/1) at Cartmel 67 days ago. Will need to leave that behind.

Form: 9/165P-6

Flintara²⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: R Bandey| OR: 96

50/1

Lightly-raced maiden. No significant impact in novice hurdles last winter but this switch to handicap company may see her in a better light.

Form: 5805-

Mackie Dee^h³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Armson| OR: 95

80/1

Dual winning pointer but that was back in spring 2018 and he offered little on last month's Uttoxeter reappearance.

Form: 02144/0

Blunder Buss⁵²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 95

8/1

Lost his way for Chris Grant in 2019 but is well treated on his best form and needs keeping an eye on in the betting on this return from an absence for new trainer Tim Vaughan.

Form: 74458/3-

Knight Commander¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 93| BF

11/2

Best effort for a while when finding just one too good at at Newton Abbot (21.5f) last month and confirmed his return to form when fourth at Uttoxeter 18 days ago. Respected.

Form: 8/0-6524

Magic Shuffle²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: S Curran| OR: 92

18/1

Fair Flat performer at best but very low-key start over hurdles in 3 runs spread out over 10 months. Handicaps may see him in a better light, though. Check betting.

Form: 7-85

Easkey Lad^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: D Burchell| OR: 92

10/3

Modest maiden on the Flat. Similar story over hurdles but he did produce his best effort for current yard when third of 16 at Newton Abbot last month. Thereabouts if in similar form.

Form: 4/6786-3

Non-Runners

Project Mars²¹¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Deputy Jones⁶⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: N P Mulholland J: James Best

Forecasts

Project Mars (11/4), Easkey Lad (10/3), Remember The Man (4/1), Arty Campbell (9/2), Knight Commander (11/2), Memphis Bleek (6/1), Blunder Buss (8/1), Deputy Jones (14/1), Magic Shuffle (18/1), Agincourt Reef (20/1), Black Lightning (40/1), Flintara (50/1), Seasearch (66/1), Mackie Dee (80/1)

PROJECT MARS made a good start for Fergal O'Brien at the start of 2020 and there's every chance he can pick up where he left off given his stable's excellent form. Knight Commander arrives on the back of 2 good efforts and should figure again. Easkey Lad is also respected on the back of a better run last time, while Remember The Man needs a betting check on his return from wind surgery.