15:20 Southwell

Wednesday 31 March 2021

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

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 6m 10.62s

Reikers Island^p1⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| D

12/1

Useful chaser for Philip Hobbs but not at best last season and pulled up in hunter in January on sole start for Caroline Keevil. Shrewd new stable applies cheekpieces back over hurdles.

Form: 6P/466-P

Luckofthedraw^h²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120| BF

50/1

Fairly useful chaser but yet to hit top form this term, last of 4 in handicap at Taunton earlier in the month. Back over hurdles with hood fitted and conditional claiming 7 lb on board.

Form: 6P6364

Neachells Bridge^p,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 119

18/1

A winner over both sets of obstacles but hasn't really been firing this season. Down in grade with Scudamore on for the first time, so not ruled out.

Form: 314-365

Imperial Knight^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 118

13/2

Fair maiden hurdler who wasn't disgraced when fifth in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury 26 days ago but doesn't appear to have much in hand.

Form: U2-0335

General Custard¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 117

25/1

Dual novice hurdle winner in 2018 and, back from a long absence, improved for a switch to chasing when a fourth at Wetherby. Disappointing since and returns to smaller obstacles/better ground.

Form: 231/4P6

Electron Bleu^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 115

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler who has underperformed so far this term and isn't proven over this far, so hard to make a solid case for despite sliding mark.

Form: 22-6834

Graineyhill^b¹³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 115

125/1

Fairly useful chaser at best for Gordon Elliott but has made little impact for new yard. Back over hurdles now.

Form: F3P-995

Bean In Trouble³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112

7/1

Landed gamble at Ludlow (2m, heavy) last February but he's struggled for form all this season and isn't a definite stayer up in trip.

Form: 546577

Kala Noire^t,v1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: S Thomas| OR: 110

16/1

Just fair form to this point over hurdles, performing respectably when third in a Sedgefield handicap last time. Mark seems to overestimate him, although visor could bring about some improvement.

Form: 4/8-4353

Soyouthinksoagain^p⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 109| BF

5/6

Improved performer this term, landing 19f Stratford handicap in October and placed all 3 starts since, collared late by a progressive sort at Newbury 5 days ago. Leading claims.

Form: 0-21322

Gold Runner²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 108| BF| CD

7/1

In top form of late, going close at Catterick before off the mark over C&D. Fine third (arguably should have won) at former course on latest outing, and likely to give another good account.

Form: 2PF313

Forecasts

Soyouthinksoagain (5/6), Imperial Knight (13/2), Bean In Trouble (7/1), Gold Runner (7/1), Reikers Island (12/1), Kala Noire (16/1), Electron Bleu (18/1), Neachells Bridge (18/1), General Custard (25/1), Luckofthedraw (50/1), Graineyhill (125/1)

SOYOUTHINKSOAGAIN was well clear of the others when denied late by an improving rival at Newbury on Friday so, provided the race doesn't come too soon, he can gain compensation from the same mark. Gold Runner is also thriving and ranks as the main danger unless Neachells Bridge bounces back to form from a reduced mark.