13:35 Leicester

Friday 1 April 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:25

Bet At racingtv.com Handicap

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 1m 48.52s

(2)

Dickens¹⁹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: A King| OR: 79| D

6/1

Back on the up when winning 9.5f Wolverhampton handicap in August. Not so good at Sandown on final outing but boasts a positive profile and could have more to offer this season.

Form: 421316-

(5)

Hector's Here²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Elle-May Croot⁽⁷⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 79

25/1

Three wins from 9 runs last year, latest at Wolverhampton in December. Wasn't disgraced at Southwell (11.1f) 29 days ago, despite being easy to back, and now back down in trip.

Form: 31-2374

(7)

Ventura Rascal¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 78| D

9/2

Three wins from 8 runs last year. Career best when winning 10-runner handicap (4/1) at Ayr (8f, good to firm), all out. Off 6 months but is consistent and likeable, so seems highly likely to give another good account on return.

Form: 271341-

(6)

Freedom And Wheat^p⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Marco Ghiani| T: M Blake| OR: 78| D

18/1

Has run creditably both starts at Kempton this year, but others preferred now returning to turf.

Form: 112/5-34

(9)

Hover¹⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Meade| OR: 77| D

7/1

Proved better than ever when doubling his tally in 14-runner handicap at Kempton (8f, 10/1) in November, responding well. May have more to offer.

Form: 17/4501-

(4)

Grangeclare View⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| D

14/1

Found good run halted when seventh of 8 in handicap at Newcastle (8f, 9/2) 64 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 43412-7

(10)

Helm Rock^t¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 77| D

4/1

6/1, creditable 2¼ lengths second of 10 to Dark Spec in handicap at Pontefract (8f, heavy) on final outing in October. Off since.

Form: 117472-

(3)

Dark Spec¹⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: S W Kelly| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 77| D

7/2

Barely needed to improve to open his account in ready fashion in 10-runner handicap (16/5) at Pontefract (8f, heavy) in October. Off 179 days but still has to be respected from a 6 lb higher mark.

Form: 264/431-

(1)

Old News^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Mrs L Stubbs| OR: 77| D

14/1

Latest win at Newcastle in January and again ran well when second there (7.1f, 9/2) 17 days ago, well positioned.

Form: 5-14442

(8)

Kaaranah²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 73| D

14/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark at Gowran in July. Below form there on final outing and has since left John Joseph Murphy for 22,000 gns.

Form: 6/96138-

Forecasts

Dark Spec (7/2), Helm Rock (4/1), Ventura Rascal (9/2), Dickens (6/1), Hover (7/1), Grangeclare View (14/1), Kaaranah (14/1), Old News (14/1), Freedom And Wheat (18/1), Hector's Here (25/1)

VENTURA RASCAL is a likeable, consistent handicapper who had a productive 2021, winning 3 times, so he's an appealing candidate on this return to action. Hover and Dickens are a couple of interesting rivals in opposition.