13:30 Stratford

Monday 15 March 2021

All12:3013:0013:3014:0314:3315:0315:33

Racecourse Live Streams On RacingTV Extra Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 3m 57.70s

Presuming Ed^h⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 100

11/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler. 28/1, below-form seventh of 12 in novice at Taunton (2m) 95 days ago, pulling hard. Makes handicap debut with fair bit to prove.

Form: 493-U7

Blazing Saddles^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 96

6/1

Fair 1m4f winner on Flat. Good fourth in Wincanton handicap hurdle before never-dangerous sixth in jumpers bumper at Lingfield. Not taken lightly back in this sphere.

Form: 602-946

Vinnie's Getaway¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Callum McKinnes⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 96| CD

9/1

Bumper winner who was placed first 3 starts over hurdles but has lost his way since. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 3P80P0

Isthebaropen^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: G Hanmer| OR: 96

11/1

Still without a win over hurdles, and only twelfth of 14 in handicap at Carlisle (17f, 33/1) 27 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 84-5760

Salley Gardens¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 95

25/1

No real impact over hurdles, including in handicaps on last two runs. Very hard to make a case for.

Form: 534700

Asharann^t⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 100

14/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Tried in hood when only eleventh of 17 in handicap at Doncaster (2m) 45 days ago. More needed if he's to open his account.

Form: 85450

Dylan's Sea Song^h¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: M D I Usher| OR: 92| D

7/2

Winner of 2m Southwell handicap in November who has largely run well since, fifth of 15 at Wincanton 12 days ago. In the mix off 2 lb lower mark now.

Form: 712485

Artic Nel^h³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89

16/1

Modest stayer on the Flat who has shown little in two hurdling runs this year after 18 months off, hood applied at Wincanton last time. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 4/60

Valentine's Turf³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 87

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler, only ninth of 12 on handicap bow at Ffos Las (15.8f, 16/1) 39 days ago. Lots more required.

Form: P-079

Letsbe Avenue¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jay Tidball⁽¹⁰⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 87

8/1

Fair 1m Flat winner. Runner-up in 2m Fakenham handicap and in process of showing improved form (still in front) when falling 2 out in 2m Ludlow handicap 11 days ago. Can gain compensation here.

Form: 0-4026F

Pillar Of Steel^p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: J L Spearing| OR: 85

14/1

Modest maiden hurdler who has been well below par both runs this term. Cheekpieces on now with plenty to prove.

Form: 585P-70

White Turf¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 82

7/1

Fair maiden on Flat for Andrew Balding but not so good over hurdles for current yard. More needed despite falling mark.

Form: P90668

Zahraani⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr Eddie Edge⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 82

33/1

Poor maiden on Flat who has offered little in three runs over hurdles. Into handicaps now with plenty on his plate.

Form: 590

Non-Runners

Watchman¹²¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: Mrs N S Evans J: Shane Quinlan

Forecasts

Dylan's Sea Song (7/2), Blazing Saddles (6/1), White Turf (7/1), Letsbe Avenue (8/1), Vinnie's Getaway (9/1), Isthebaropen (11/1), Presuming Ed (11/1), Pillar Of Steel (14/1), Asharann (14/1), Watchman (14/1), Valentine's Turf (16/1), Artic Nel (16/1), Salley Gardens (25/1), Zahraani (33/1)

Not so competitive as the numbers suggest, and LETSBE AVENUE is strongly fancied to make amends for his late fall at Ludlow (when still in front) and open his account over hurdles. Dylan's Sea Song is proving consistent and looks the one to chase him home with Blazing Saddles appealing as the pick of the remainder now returned to this sphere.