13:30 Perth

Friday 26 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

AK Bets Best Price Every Runner Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 4m 2.30s

Lively Citizen¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Cian Chester⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 119| CD

6/1

In good heart since returning to this sphere following a stint over the larger obstacles, winning at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month and good fourth of 19 at Aintree (2m, soft) a fortnight ago. Respected.

Form: 4F2714

Well Planted³²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 119| BF| CD

18/1

Recorded a second C&D success in August and also went close here later that month. Not seen over hurdles since September but a recent spin on AW Flat should have put him spot on for this.

Form: 432126

Jason The Militant^b,t⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 118| D

25/1

One-time very smart hurdler for Henry de Bromhead but little impact for current yard, pulling up in Martin Pipe at Cheltenham latest. This undoubtedly easier but still has too much to prove.

Form: P-0955P

Forcing Bull^t¹⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

50/1

Won a pair of Sedgefield novice hurdles in March 2023 but well held in a handicap at Ayr the following month and pulled up in Haydock Grade on return in November. Off a further 5 months since. Still early days but betting perhaps the best guide to what's expected this afternoon.

Form: 18110-P

Cuban Cigar^b,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 114| D

15/2

Enhanced his good record at Musselburgh when scoring over 2m in November. Shaped as if still in good form when 9¼ lengths fourth of 13 to Mack The Man over 17.5f there 3 weeks ago. Runner-up in this race last year.

Form: 419334

Mack The Man^v²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 109| D

4/1

Has reacted well to a visor lately, building on Ayr second when winning a competitive series final at Musselburgh (17.5f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Raised 8 lb but retains handicapping scope on old form.

Form: 3-67821

Scots Poet^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 109| D

12/1

Back to winning ways at Musselburgh on New Year's Day but well behind Mack The Man back there since. Others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 242F10

Rascal²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: T R George| OR: 108

9/2

Too free when well held sole outing in bumpers but has fared better over hurdles, building on his Warwick debut third last spring when winning 2m Doncaster maiden 6 months later. Pulled well clear of the rest when 3 lengths second in 2m Huntingdon handicap latest so a 3 lb nudge looks fair.

Form: 6-3192

Old Gregorian^t1⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107| DWS

4/1

Made a successful debut over hurdles after 6 months off in 2m Kelso maiden in October, beating one who won his next 2 starts. Pulled up at Aintree next time but better when third of 12 at Carlisle in February. Unexposed now handicapping after wind surgery (also tongue tied).

Form: 652-1P3

Can't Stop Now^h³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 106| DWS

14/1

This front-runner won a 2m Musselburgh handicap hurdle last March and added to his tally on the Flat at Carlisle in August. Creditable second in a 2m Ayr handicap last month but disappointed on AW Flat 16 days later. Had a wind op since.

Form: 5410-62

Polisud^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 102| BF

12/1

One-time fairly useful chaser/hurdle winner in France who took advantage of a big drop in the weights to land a 2m Newcastle handicap last month. Backed that up when second there 3 weeks later. Another to consider.

Form: P56312

Non-Runners

Dominic's Fault⁷³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Mack The Man (4/1), Old Gregorian (4/1), Rascal (9/2), Lively Citizen (6/1), Dominic's Fault (13/2), Cuban Cigar (15/2), Scots Poet (12/1), Polisud (12/1), Can't Stop Now (14/1), Well Planted (18/1), Jason The Militant (25/1), Forcing Bull (50/1)

A competitive handicap to open the card. DOMINIC'S FAULT travels like one who could be well treated off an opening mark of 107 and is given a chance to prove it with a tongue tie added. Rascal and Old Gregorian have similarly unexposed profiles to the selection, while Mack The Man and Lively Citizen have a lot more miles on the clock but arrive in good form.