14:25 Stratford

Sunday 21 July 2024

All13:5014:2514:5515:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Allan Atkinson Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 6m 34.11s

Time To Tinker^p,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 100

14/1

Winless since landing a brace of handicaps in autumn 2021 and stopped a run of incompletions without offering a great deal of encouragement when well held at Bangor (23.2f, good) just over 3 weeks ago. Mark continues to slide but best to look elsewhere.

Form: P5PP-P5

Bright Sunbird^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 97| CD

11/1

Won this corresponding event last year for Gary Hanmer. Stepped forward from her debut for this yard when a creditable third of 8 in handicap at Kelso (25.8f, soft) in May but ran a shocker at Bangor (23.2f, good) subsequently. Needs to bounce back quickly.

Form: 518-63P

Fine By Me²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 93

5/1

Added to his decent record fresh when returning from 8 months to finish second of 12 at Southwell (3m) last month but, as last season, wasn't able to even match his reappearance form at Worcester (23f, good to firm) just under 3 weeks ago. Back up in trip but others more convincing.

Form: 3/255-25

Propelled^p⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 86

4/1

From a top yard but again looked less than straightforward when fifth of 8 in handicap at this course (22f, good) back in May. Dropped another 3 lb and this significant step up in trip could be just the ticket.

Form: 6P/586-5

Hitthekettle^p1⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: M Gates| OR: 84

18/1

Took 7 tries to win an Irish point and has shown very little under Rules to date. First-time cheekpieces go on returning from a 10-week break.

Form: 94/0P6-6

Guttural^t³⁸²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: P Taylor| OR: 76

25/1

Point winner in April 2021 and belatedly broke his duck under Rules in handicap chase at Worcester in June 2023. Failed to back that up there a month later and not seen since. On a lenient mark if raring to go reverted to hurdles/hiked back up in trip.

Form: 4PP/315-

If I Say^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 74

8/1

Placed several times over fences last year and ran respectably after 6 months off when seventh of 12 in handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (23.9f, good) in May. Not so good at Bangor subsequently, so needs to get back on track.

Form: 2F3P-76

Side Stepper¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 72| BF

13/8

Hadn't offered much in bumper/first 4 starts over hurdles, but proved a different proposition upped in trip when third on handicap debut at Newton Abbot (26.5f, good) last month. Confirmed that improvement when third at Perth recently and looks ready to strike for an in-form yard.

Form: 699-733

Fox Wallace^h1²⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 64WS

33/1

Tailed off in a bumper and 3 hurdles last season. Hiked up in trip for return/handicap debut and a first-time hood is applied (has also had a wind op).

Form: U8009-

Forecasts

Side Stepper (13/8), Propelled (4/1), Fine By Me (5/1), If I Say (8/1), Bright Sunbird (11/1), Time To Tinker (14/1), Hitthekettle (18/1), Guttural (25/1), Fox Wallace (33/1)

Christian Williams has his string in fine order at present and SIDE STEPPER is fancied to register a first success with Cobden booked at the expense of Propelled, who has looked less than straightforward in recent starts but this significant step up in trip could be the making of him. Guttural, who hasn't been seen for 12 months, lurks on a handy mark back hurdling so rounds off the shortlist.