16:45 Perth

Thursday 26 September 2024

All13:2013:5214:2715:0215:3716:1216:4517:15

Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 6m 17.35s

Skyjack Hijack³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 103

2/1

Has improved with each of his five hurdling runs, getting off the mark in 9-runner handicap hurdle at Cartmel (25.4f, heavy) last month, having nothing to spare but seeing longer trip out well all the same. 6 lb higher here and further progress not dismissed.

Form: 3/7-2321

Midnight Gold^p,t¹²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 102| BF

7/2

Confirmed more positive signs when easily winning 8-runner mares' handicap at Southwell (20.4f) last summer. Returned with a good second at Warwick in May but hung left throughout and well beaten at Fontwell later that month. Off since but appeals as the type to bounce back.

Form: U5/21-24

Pure Sirloin¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 100

14/1

Made a winning handicap debut at Navan in January 2023 but hasn't progressed as hoped since. Offered little on first start for new yard at Kelso in May but stepped up on that when fourth of 10 at Hexham (23.3f, good to soft) the following month. Dropped another 5 lb ahead of this return.

Form: 3P/0P-04

Indian Sunbird¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: Sara Ender| OR: 92

10/1

Worcester winner in July, then ran well again when runner-up over same C&D later that month. However, he was below form back there (23f, good) just over a fortnight ago and is probably too high in the handicap for now.

Form: P512U5

Western Glen¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: G Boanas| OR: 83

10/3

Back to form when third of 15 over C&D (good) last month and backed that effort up when runner-up over C&D (good to soft) earlier this month, just no match for a rejuvenated rival. No surprise to see her on the premises again.

Form: 40P632

Nastasiya^p,h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 81

9/2

Remains without a win but she was knocking on the door for Rebecca Menzies and has shaped like a stayer on both starts over hurdles for current connections. This extra yardage should be right up her street so it would be folly to discount.

Form: 8/332-35

Bilboa River^p⁴⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H McMahon| OR: 71

125/1

Limited hurdler who unseated back over fences at Kelso when last seen 16 months ago. 7 lb out of the weights and he looks an easy swerve.

Form: P72/56U-

Non-Runners

Iron Heart¹⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: P & M Bowen J: S Bowen

Dalileo¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: Miss L Harrison J: Peter Kavanagh

Forecasts

Skyjack Hijack (2/1), Western Glen (10/3), Midnight Gold (7/2), Nastasiya (9/2), Dalileo (6/1), Indian Sunbird (10/1), Iron Heart (12/1), Pure Sirloin (14/1), Bilboa River (125/1)

Cases can be made for plenty of these, and it could pay to take a chance on the returning MIDNIGHT GOLD, who was well beaten when sent off favourite at Fontwell back in May but appeals as the type to bounce back for her in-form yard. Second choice is Skyjack Highjack, who opened his account at Cartmel last month and continues to go from strength to strength. Western Glen can edge out Nastasiya for third spot.