15:55 Southwell

Monday 21 March 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Follow AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 23.88s

Lignou⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 112| D

14/1

Twice successful for Noel Meade in Ireland but has struggled on each of his 4 starts for present connections.

Form: 098785

Niblawi¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West| OR: 111| D

16/1

Sole success over hurdles was gained in a Fakenham novice 3 years ago. On the upside, he was very much in contention when exiting at the third-last off this mark at Plumpton (20.5f) last month.

Form: 557-44F

Ballinslea Bridge²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 110

100/1

Well-handicapped judged on past exploits but doesn't appear to retain a great deal of ability based on efforts for new yard this season.

Form: 36/FP-PP

London Eye²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Tudor| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 110

10/1

Worcester maiden hurdle winner (2m) in September. Poor effort on latest start in this sphere on Boxing Day but not disgraced on the Flat back from a break last month and each-way chance here.

Form: 3142P

Irish Odyssey^p,t⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 110

10/1

Posted one of his better efforts when runner-up at Sedgefield last spring. Below par both starts since, including on return at Huntingdon in January, but the handicapper has given him a chance.

Form: U5/424-0

Apple Rock²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 109| D

5/1

Notched 3 wins in 2020/21 and produced his best effort of the season so far when third in an 11-runner Hereford handicap (19.7f) last month. Down another 2 lb and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 5-87P53

Brulure Noire⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 108

9/2

Left hurdles debut well behind when landing a Limerick maiden during the Christmas period. Better than the bare result at Navan next time and this unexposed 5-y-o is interesting on debut for new yard.

Form: F66710

Gennady^h¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 107

10/1

Successful twice during 2019/20 campaign and caught the eye on second start of this season over 16.2f at Newcastle 13 days ago. Now 4 lb lower and step back up in trip could be a good move.

Form: 192/566

Bartholomew J³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: S Pearce| OR: 100| C

6/1

Returned to form when doubling his tally over hurdles with a game display at Doncaster (16.6f). 4 lb rise fair enough and good claims here with this step back up in trip unlikely to be an issue.

Form: 2P-5351

Large Action²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 97

20/1

Appeared to improve for the switch to more positive tactics at Catterick (19.3f), a race he probably would've won but for falling at the final flight. Possibilities here if able to build on that.

Form: 45-9PUF

William Cody²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 94

9/2

Improved switched to handicaps on soft/heavy the last twice, going close at Fakenham prior to finishing fourth at Huntingdon (both at about 2½m). Faster ground won't be a problem and merits respect.

Form: 283524

Chemical Warfare^t1¹¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: T Collier| OR: 92

12/1

Hasn't made much of an impact in 3 qualifying runs over hurdles and needs to raise his game now upped in trip for this handicap debut. Tongue strap enlisted.

Form: 8643

Forecasts

William Cody (9/2), Brulure Noire (9/2), Apple Rock (5/1), Bartholomew J (6/1), London Eye (10/1), Gennady (10/1), Irish Odyssey (10/1), Chemical Warfare (12/1), Lignou (14/1), Niblawi (16/1), Large Action (20/1), Ballinslea Bridge (100/1)

It could be worth chancing GENNADY, who shaped well on his second start following a break at Newcastle recently and both this step back up in trip and career-low mark offer cause for optimism. Apple Rock looks dangerous on the back of his latest effort at Hereford, while Brulure Noire needs a close look on debut for new connections. Bartholomew J and William Cody are others to consider.