14:45 Hexham

Friday 10 November 2023

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Langley Castle An Outstanding Small Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 41.1s

One Step Up²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 98

9/2

Has run to only a modest level in a trio of starts over hurdles so far, sixth of 10 in C&D novice on his return last month. However, he's bred to do better so he could prove a different proposition now handicapping.

Form: 08-6

Rocco Storm^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: D Brooke| OR: 97| CD

5/1

Successful 3 times over fences last season, including at this course, and bounced back to his best when winning handicap chase at Sedgefield last month. Without a win over hurdles but has a lower mark in this sphere and he could be thereabouts.

Form: 2174-81

Geordies Dream⁵⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 96| D

15/2

Made a winning start in bumpers and enhanced that form in defeat when runner-up next time. Wasn't able to match that level in 3 starts over hurdles in 2021/22, but he could still have more to offer as he goes handicapping, albeit with a lengthy absence to overcome.

Form: 12305/

Silver Vision¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 96| D

100/1

Suited by way the race developed when off the mark in juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh last November. However, her form has gone the wrong way since, finishing down the field on the Flat when last seen in May.

Form: 5P10UU-

Ingennio^p1,t¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: R Hobson| OR: 95

5/1

Runner-up in handicaps at Huntingdon and Taunton earlier this year but hasn't progressed in his 2 subsequent starts, finishing mid-field at Uttoxeter on his latest outing in May. Improvement required with cheekpieces applied on his return.

Form: 47228-5

Ferdinand Star^b1²⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R T Dunne| T: D Carroll| OR: 94

11/1

Fair maiden hurdler in Ireland for Patrick Magee, finishing second in Tramore maiden on final start over there in October last year. However, struggled for form in handicaps for David Pipe, so revival needed with blinkers applied on his stable debut.

Form: 92790P-

Serious Ego²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 90| D

9/2

It's now fifteen runs since his last win in 2021, but he wasn't discredited when fourth of 6 in handicap hurdle at this course (20.1f) in May. Never on terms after 5 months off at Carlisle last time, but he could fare better with his recent run behind him.

Form: 3963-45

Bouncing Bobby¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Theo Gillard| T: M Todhunter| OR: 85

16/1

Opened account over hurdles in handicap at Carlisle (20f) in October last year. Successful on the Flat during the summer and some encouragement returned to hurdling at Carlisle 15 days ago. Task is now to build on his latest effort.

Form: 680/16-9

Blended Stealth^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 82

5/1

Remains a maiden but was placed 3 times for Nigel Twiston-Davies last season and shaped encouragingly on his stable debut when third at Uttoxeter in July. However, below form last 2 starts so needs to get back on track with cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: 44-0370

Edmond Dantes^p,t⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 77

22/1

Following a wind op, ran best race for current yard when runner-up in handicap at this C&D in June. Not in the same form in his 2 starts since, though. Tongue strap back on but others still preferred.

Form: 88-6268

Forecasts

Serious Ego (9/2), One Step Up (9/2), Ingennio (5/1), Blended Stealth (5/1), Rocco Storm (5/1), Geordies Dream (15/2), Ferdinand Star (11/1), Bouncing Bobby (16/1), Edmond Dantes (22/1), Silver Vision (100/1)

ONE STEP UP hasn't made much impact in his 3 starts over hurdles so far, but his pedigree (half-brother to useful hurdler/high-class chaser Dunvegan) offers hope that he'll be capable of better. He is open to progress now handicapping and is preferred to Rocco Storm, who can go well again off his lower hurdles mark. Geordies Dream is also considered.