16:00 Stratford

Sunday 16 July 2023

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Bryan & Heather Boskett 40th Wedding Anniversary Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 45.33s

Oakley²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 129| CD

11/2

Off the mark for present stable over C&D in spring 2022. Seen only 3 times subsequently, running respectably granted the run of the race when third at Cheltenham (16.8f) in December. No forlorn hope back from 7 months off.

Form: 918/43-V

Hurricane Ali¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: J Mackie| OR: 125| D

5/1

All the better for his reappearance in the Swinton Hurdle when hitting the frame in handicaps at Warwick/Aintree. Early mistake did him no favours at Cartmel (17.2f) 2 weeks ago and no surprise to see him quickly back to form.

Form: 42-0329

Finest View⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 122| D

5/1

Won 4 on the bounce for Alan King last spring and best effort for present yard when third at Taunton (16.5f) in February. Disappointed next 2 starts though and looked set for a minor role when falling late on at Warwick (2m) in May.

Form: 4535-9F

Byzantine Empire^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122| D

18/1

Largely consistent hurdler who landed pair of small field handicap chase events (at around 2m) last summer. Progress stalled in that sphere thereafter but he's entitled to come forward from his reappearance run on the Flat 13 days ago.

Form: 3/11226-

Jamacho^t1¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: B Roberts⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 118| CD

17/2

4-time C&D winner who added to his tally over fences at Uttoxeter (2m) in October. Strictly operating below best in 2 starts over hurdles so far this season but return to this venue from an easing mark an obvious plus. Better showing anticipated. Tongue tie on 1st time.

Form: 151-0V9

Still Standing^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 117| D

125/1

Useful Flat performer in his prime who opened account over hurdles in autumn 2021. However, it's all been rather low key since, including in 2 spins on the level for present connections.

Form: 810/40P-

Aliomaana^h³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 107| CD

9/2

Got back on track in a refitted hood after 4 months off when landing C&D mares' handicap in October. Disappointed later that month but back on track returning from 6 months off when third at Newton Abbot (16.7f) last month. In the mix with a repeat.

Form: 6/5414-3

Enthused^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: H Cobden| T: James Owen| OR: 105| BF

7/2

Off the mark over hurdles at Huntingdon (19.6f) in May and continued in good heart subsequently, having no trouble with the drop back in trip when edged out close home at Newton Abbot (16.7f) 3 weeks ago. This a deeper affair but he's of interest nevertheless with Harry Cobden booked.

Form: 34-4132

Painless Potter¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: S Lycett| OR: 101

11/1

Flat winner last summer who arrives here in good heart, second in 9-runner Worcester maiden hurdle (2m) 18 days ago. Remains low-mileage in this sphere and he's not out of things with the return to handicaps rating a plus.

Form: 33/U-22

Forecasts

Enthused (7/2), Aliomaana (9/2), Hurricane Ali (5/1), Finest View (5/1), Oakley (11/2), Jamacho (17/2), Painless Potter (11/1), Byzantine Empire (18/1), Still Standing (125/1)

Multiple C&D winner JAMACHO needs to shrug off a couple of lesser efforts since returning this term but he's been afforded a chance by the assessor and he could just be worth siding with returned to this venue/equipped with a first-time tongue tie. Enthused is going through a good spell and can figure, with Hurricane Ali another live player under Brian Hughes.