16:45 Stratford

Sunday 23 April 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Bet At racingtv.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 44.9s

Scherbobalob²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 105

15/2

Modest maiden on Flat but has steadily gone the right way over hurdles, getting off the mark quite convincingly at Ludlow (15.7f) 3 weeks ago. No reason why he won't go well again from 5 lb higher mark.

Form: 794U1

They Call Me Pete⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: L Morgan| OR: 102

16/1

Runner-up in novice at Market Rasen on Boxing Day but not yet built on that in pair of handicaps from what has looked a stiff enough mark. Assessor is relinquishing his grip and this ease in class rates a plus at least.

Form: 6-54297

Dusky Days⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 99| C

13/2

Bumper winner who ran to a fair level when runner-up on the second of 2 starts in maiden hurdles last term. After a wind op, back on track when fourth in handicap at Huntingdon in February but ran out 2 out when holding every chance at Ludlow last month.

Form: 2-3P64R

Henry Box Brown³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 97

12/1

Bumper winner on debut/sole start in Ireland and showed improved form when opening his account over hurdles in Uttoxeter handicap (15.8f) in December. However, not been in anything like the same form either outing since.

Form: 527177

Embolden¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C Hobson| OR: 97

8/1

Modest on the level nowadays but having showed an aptitude for this job in maiden/novice hurdles last year, he duly showed improved form to make a winning handicap debut in this sphere at Plumtpon (17.7f) 13 days ago. Did it in gritty fashion then and he can go well again.

Form: 2661

Glory Bridge^t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 96| BF

5/1

Bumper winner who improved on his exploits in novice/maiden hurdles when runner-up behind one firmly on a roll on handicap bow at Doncaster (16.6f) in February. Rather disconcerting he found little off the bridle when fourth at Wetherby since but too soon to write him off.

Form: 1-64224

Claras Soldier^t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 92

10/1

Down the field in bumpers and novice/maiden hurdles. Easy to back, was yet to be asked for his effort when brought down on handicap debut at Southwell (20.4f) in March and this ought to reveal more.

Form: 90777B

Scudamore^p¹⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 91

12/1

Fair winner on Flat who wasn't disgraced when fourth of 13 in a C&D handicap back in October. Again ran no better than respectably stepped up to around 3m when third at Fakenham a month later and he's been absent since. Market may guide.

Form: 425-843

Hokelami²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 91| CD

9/4

6-y-o who had displayed some promise previously and didn't need to improve to land a C&D seller 3 weeks ago (final start for Olly Murphy). Still low mileage so he could build on that returned to handicap company.

Form: 530031

Happy Sanchez³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: M Young| OR: 88

100/1

Unplaced sole start in points and only minor promise on first of 3 starts in maiden/novice hurdles spread over 9 months. Step back up in trip for handicap debut should help but others appeal more on balance.

Form: 7707

Rollo's Kingdom⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 87

20/1

Showed a bit on the first of 2 bumper runs but finished soundly beaten all 3 starts in maiden/novice hurdles at up to 17.7f since this year. Is in good hands though, so foolish to rule out improvement now handicapping.

Form: 66656

Gambie Tiep^t1³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 83

66/1

French bumper winner but he remains a maiden over hurdles/fences and he ran poorly when well-beaten fifth in this sphere at Hereford (19.7f) 30 days ago. Passed over.

Form: 658395

Non-Runners

Iceman Dennis¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: Theo Gillard

Governor Green¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: A Ralph J: Alex Edwards

Forecasts

Hokelami (9/4), Glory Bridge (5/1), Governor Green (6/1), Dusky Days (13/2), Scherbobalob (15/2), Embolden (8/1), Claras Soldier (10/1), Scudamore (12/1), Henry Box Brown (12/1), They Call Me Pete (16/1), Rollo's Kingdom (20/1), Iceman Dennis (25/1), Gambie Tiep (66/1), Happy Sanchez (100/1)

This looks trappy but SCHERBOBALOB got the job done in pretty convincing fashion on just his second start in handicaps at Ludlow 3 weeks ago and gets the narrow vote to come out on top again from a 5 lb higher mark. Glory Bridge has the ability to play a part if putting it all together and is feared, along with his stablemate Iceman Dennis. Hokelami isn't out of things either.