Tom Richmond Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 51.32s

Kansas City Chief²⁰⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Victoria Malzard⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 132| D

7/1

Veteran but better than ever last season, recording 3 victories including twice at Cheltenham. First run for yard after leaving Neil Mulholland following 6 months off. Others may just have a fitness advantage.

Form: 312210-

Teescomponents Lad^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 131| C

5/2

Gained reward for consistency when scoring at Market Rasen (23.1f) in November last season and made a respectable return after 5 months off when fourth at Perth (23.9f) 3 weeks ago. Runner-up in this race last year.

Form: 63243-4

Hillview⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 128| BF| D

3/1

Has developed an excellent strike rate since switched to handicaps, winning 5 of his last 8 races. Creditable effort when second of 4 at Stratford (26.4f) on his latest outing in July. Can give another good account.

Form: 211-312

Snookered^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 122| C

13/2

Mixed bag on Flat/over hurdles but capitalised on his reduced mark at Cartmel (17.2f) in July. Not in the same form both starts since though, down the field at Market Rasen 18 days ago. Having his first try at 3m.

Form: 74-0169

Caius Marcius^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 117| C| D

9/4

Very durable campaigner who opened his account for the season having his first attempt at 3m at Perth in July. Unsuited by the drop in trip when third of 5 at Kelso (20.9f) last month. Can resume winning ways.

Form: 5-83213

Forecasts

Caius Marcius (9/4), Teescomponents Lad (5/2), Hillview (3/1), Snookered (13/2), Kansas City Chief (7/1)

Having a belated first try at 3m, CAIUS MARCIUS opened his account for the season at Perth in July before looking unsuited by the drop back in trip on his latest start. The 11-y-o is taken to make it 2 from 2 over this distance and see off the challenge of Hillview, while Teescomponents Lad can give his running again in this race.