16:20 Southwell

Monday 22 February 2021

All13:1513:4514:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 4m 17.9s

Captain Jack¹⁰²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 100

9/2

Ran right up to best when third in a Warwick novice (2m) in spring 2018 but absent since running below that level at Warwick in May of that year. Market should guide starting out for new yard.

Form: 535536/

Keepscalling⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 100

28/1

Lightly-raced mare who again ran below the pick of her form in mares' maiden company when second in a Taunton seller (16.5f) in December. Progress required now handicapping for new yard.

Form: P-4392

It's Your Move^t1²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Page Fuller| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 98

100/1

In-and-out form for Brian Ellison back in 2017/18 and, having been unplaced in trio of starts between the Flags, he offered little on belated Rules return for present stable at Doncaster recently.

Form: 29/55-5P

Fleur Du Seuil^p1⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 98

11/2

Posted her best effort yet over hurdles when fifth in a 13-runner mares' handicap at Leicester (15.5f, heavy) last time. 2 lb lower now and claims if responding well to first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 5-44555

Ofcourseiwill¹⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 97

33/1

Badly out of sorts last season and similar story on return at Bangor (16.6f) back in July. Unseated early at Kelso in September but returns from reduced mark with yard in good form.

Form: P860-7U

Begin The Luck⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 96

16/1

Comfortably held in novice hurdles. May do better in handicaps but opening mark not obviously generous.

Form: 906

Sad Eyed Dylan^h,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 96

18/1

Appeals as being on a handy mark on pick of his form and shaped better than distance beaten suggests when midfield at Taunton (19f) last month. Way he shaped then suggests return to around 2m a plus.

Form: 22/7-086

Grania O'Malley^p¹¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 92| CD

12/1

Out of sorts over both sets of obstacles during second half of 2020, again offering little (well backed) when pulled up over fences at Uttoxeter (22.5f) in October. Another back from a break.

Form: 80859P

The Boat³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 92

50/1

Has hinted at promise without making the frame in his three runs in novice hurdles. May do better now handicapping, so no forlorn hope. Yard also saddle Grania O'Malley.

Form: 798

Aronius^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 91

7/2

Ex-German 10f Flat winner who surpassed previous hurdling exploits when runner-up on handicap bow at Catterick (15.7f) in January. Well held in jumpers bumper since but not one to write off.

Form: P8029

Yulong Magicreef¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 100

7/1

Fair maiden on Flat for Jessica Harrington. Promise over hurdles, promise when fourth on handicap debut at Ffos Las (15.8f) at the start of the month. Remains type to do better.

Form: 0384

Jobesgreen Lad^t1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 89

4/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler who matched previous best when second in an Exeter handicap (16.8f) last month, no match for the winner but keeping on. Eased 2 lb since and claims in an open handicap.

Form: 956-462

Numero Uno⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 88

50/1

Ended last season with a good third at Musselburgh (15.5f) 12 months ago but yet to fire either outing so far this campaign.

Form: 5953-00

Longtimesincejaspr^b1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: D Brooke| OR: 83

25/1

Ended time in Ireland with good second in a big field at Punchestown in February 2019. Not disgraced fourth at Ayr (2m) in December but readily outpointed in a jumpers bumper since. Blinkered.

Form: F2/5P-45

Non-Runners

Penny Poet⁴⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: N P Mulholland J: T Scudamore

Gris De Pron⁷¹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 8

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Aronius (7/2), Jobesgreen Lad (4/1), Captain Jack (9/2), Penny Poet (9/2), Fleur Du Seuil (11/2), Yulong Magicreef (7/1), Grania O'Malley (12/1), Begin The Luck (16/1), Sad Eyed Dylan (18/1), Longtimesincejaspr (25/1), Keepscalling (28/1), Gris De Pron (33/1), Ofcourseiwill (33/1), The Boat (50/1), Numero Uno (50/1), It's Your Move (100/1)

A wide-open finale in which it may pay to forgive ARONIUS a lesser effort in a jumpers bumper recently. Dan Skelton's charge had previously run well when runner-up on handicap hurdle debut at Catterick and a bounce back rates a distinct possibility from this low-mileage sort. Jobesgreen Lad, Yulong Magicreef and Fleur du Seuil head up the dangers.