15:37 Leicester

Thursday 2 December 2021

All13:0713:3714:0714:3715:0715:37

Leicester Racecourse Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 3m 59.3s

Highland Parc^p1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 99

28/1

Didn't offer a great deal in bumpers for Nigel Twiston-Davies and only minor promise on first of 2 hurdle outings upon joining present stable. Others rate stronger now handicapping.

Form: 295-645

Sergeant^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: M F Harris| OR: 97| BF

6/4

Improving hurdler who gained third success of the campaign at Exeter (16.7f) in October. Solid runners-up efforts both starts since, latterly from long way back at Ludlow 10 days ago. Big player.

Form: 1F1122

Durragh^h¹⁵⁰

14/1

Modest form in bumpers but some promise on first of 2 starts in mares' maiden/novice hurdles during the summer. Returns with yard in good form and switch to handicaps a plus on back of a wind op.

Form: 55-2234

Rock On Tommy^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 85

9/4

Maiden who has yet to better form in handicaps, albeit running respectably when midfield in a 13-runner Exeter handicap (18.5f) in October. Eased further in weights but drop in trip possibly not ideal

Form: 8-63645

Good Impression⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Ben Jones| T: D Burchell| OR: 78

12/1

Unable to better poor form during first spell hurdling but did taste success on Flat at Bath (10f) last summer. More miss than hit this year though, and others more persuasive back over timber.

Form: 48536/

Fitz The Brief^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 76

18/1

Minor promise sole start in bumpers but not much to shout about over hurdles, right out the back when falling 4 out on handicap debut at Hereford (16.2f) earlier this month. Passed over.

Form: 5-64P7F

Tara Iti^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 89| C

9/2

Fair 1m winner on the level for Ed Dunlop who readily surpassed previous hurdle exploits for this yard when runner-up in a C&D novices' selling hurdle (15.5f) 17 days ago. May build on that now.

Form: P492

Tally's Son³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 74

100/1

No show on the Flat this year and fared no better making a belated return to hurdling when well held sixth at Taunton (16.5f) in October. Eased 5 lb since but others make much more appeal.

Form: 008P/6

George Mallory⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 70

50/1

Fair on Flat (stays 1½m) for Kevin Ryan. Yet to show anything over hurdles for new yard, including on handicap debut at Southwell (15.8f) 9 days ago.

Form: 0P-05

Forecasts

Sergeant (6/4), Rock On Tommy (9/4), Tara Iti (9/2), Good Impression (12/1), Durragh (14/1), Fitz The Brief (18/1), Highland Parc (28/1), George Mallory (50/1), Tally's Son (100/1)

SERGEANT continues to go the right way over hurdles, successful for the third time at Exeter in October and losing little caste in defeat in filling the runner-up spot both starts since. He remains one to be interested in and can come out on top again. 3-y-o Tara Iti is a threat with a repeat of his latest display here, along with handicap debutante Durragh.