15:55 Perth

Thursday 12 May 2022

All14:1514:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:30

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb And Ginger Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 5m 2.31s

Overthetop⁸¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 125| D

6/1

Point/bumper winner who made it 2 wins from 3 starts over hurdles at Newcastle in January 2020. Seemingly unsuited by conditions when well-beaten in Grade 2 at Haydock 6 weeks later and having not been seen since, he's probably best watched on return.

Form: 111614/

Notre Pari^p⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| D

4/1

Took advantage of a drop in class to score under this rider at Fontwell back in March, first-time cheekpieces seemingly having a positive effect. Nudged up just 2 lb, he's of obvious interest again if arriving in the same mood.

Form: 3/27431-

Fire Away^p,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Reed| T: L Morgan| OR: 124| D

17/2

Useful chaser who has a terrific strike rate since joining this stable, making it 6 wins in much calmer waters back over hurdles at Southwell (20.4f) just under 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces replace the visor and he has to be respected back in handicap company with the yard going great guns.

Form: 11P501-

Aurora Thunder⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120| D

5/2

Won at Musselburgh on New Year's Day and may well have won had she met the last on a better stride at Ayr last month (going best at the time). She has to be taken seriously provided that fall hasn't left its mark.

Form: 2P123F-

Bigbadmattie^p1,t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Ewart| OR: 117| D

25/1

Dual Worcester winner in first half of last season for Emma Lavelle. Pulled up on both outings for current yard (latest after a breathing operation) so he's tough to make a case for on recent evidence. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: F121PP-

Highway Companion⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 109| D

8/1

Winner at Musselburgh in 2020 but showed nothing on return from a lengthy absence at Wetherby 6 weeks ago. Down to his last winning mark but would require a huge leap of faith to get involved.

Form: 52134/P-

Kajaki^b⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 109

15/2

Snapped a long losing run when cosily accounting for 10 rivals at Sedgefield (21.2f) at the end of January. Similar form on the back of a 4 lb rise at Newcastle since and he's one of the more likely contenders.

Form: 484313-

Beeno^h⁴⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 108| C

11/1

Course winner last September who having been very easy to back, shaped better than the distance beaten suggested when tenth at Musselburgh (17.4f) 7 weeks ago (dropping away having helped force pace). Not getting any younger but handicapper taken a chance in dropping him 4 lb.

Form: 731690-

Garde Des Champs^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Billy Garritty| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 106

12/1

Run to fair level first 2 starts over hurdles but last couple of efforts have left plenty to be desired, turning in a tame finishing effort on the back of a breathing operation at Musselburgh 7 weeks ago. Tough to recommend on that evidence.

Form: 7/43247-

A Place Apart²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Dowson| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 102

300/1

Went off the boil for Gavin Cromwell in 2020 and predictably showed nothing on return from a lengthy absence here 3 weeks ago having been sold cheaply. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 5F0P7/P-

Forecasts

Aurora Thunder (5/2), Notre Pari (4/1), Overthetop (6/1), Kajaki (15/2), Highway Companion (8/1), Fire Away (17/2), Beeno (11/1), Garde Des Champs (12/1), Bigbadmattie (25/1), A Place Apart (300/1)

The result was still very much up in the air when AURORA THUNDER came to grief at the final flight at Ayr just under 6 weeks ago, Lucinda Russell's charge seemingly going best at the time. Provided that fall hasn't left its mark, she can gain some much-deserved compensation at the expense of Notre Pari, who looked in good nick when scoring at Fontwell in March. Fire Away notched a sixth win for his current yard last time so he's another worth considering.