Cranbrook Underwriting Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:23 | Winning time: 4m 56.72s

Solo Saxophone^b⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: A M Hales| OR: 132| BF| D

10/1

Has developed into a useful stayer on the Flat and translated that ability back to hurdling with a brace of small-field wins at Worcester this summer. Posted another good effort when second of 5 in handicap at Kelso (20.9f) last time so is well in the mix.

Form: 267-112

Royaume Uni²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 131| C

9/2

Useful on Flat and he enjoyed a good last season over hurdles too. Considerately handled on his return when tenth in Flat handicap at Goodwood and no surprise to see him take a step forward here.

Form: 338122-

Light N Strike²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J R Wildman⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130| BF| C

10/3

Fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser who looked set for second when falling heavily 3 out in Chepstow handicap chase 23 days ago. Had been in good form and is much respected back in this sphere.

Form: 31712F

Lord Baddesley²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: C Gordon| OR: 124

11/8

Shaped encouragingly after 6 months off when second of 10 in Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.4f) 23 days ago. Expected to be bang there nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 3P44F-2

Small Bad Bob¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 115

15/2

Three-time winner last season who shaped as if in need of the run on his return when fourth of 8 in handicap at Fontwell (19.2f) 12 days ago. Considered off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 21493-4

Good News^v¹⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 114| C

22/1

Comes here bidding to land a five-timer after gaining his latest success in 25f Fontwell handicap in June. Up another 3 lb but this three-time course scorer can't be taken lightly after a break.

Form: 4311-11

Forecasts

Lord Baddesley (11/8), Light N Strike (10/3), Royaume Uni (9/2), Small Bad Bob (15/2), Solo Saxophone (10/1), Good News (22/1)

None of these can be ruled out but preference is for LORD BADDESLEY who resumed with an excellent second in Chepstow's Silver Trophy and can go one better nudged up only 1 lb. Solo Saxophone is enjoying an excellent run of form and seems sure to be in the picture once more along with the handily-weighted Small Bad Bob.