Sri Lanka The Teardrop Island Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 4m 21.5s

Through The Ages⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 105| D

11/4

Dual hurdles winner last season (both when making the running) and has returned to form this year, a creditable effort when 6½ lengths second of 8 to Double Oban over C&D (heavy) 9 days ago and possible that a return to more positive tactics could see him finish closer now.

Form: 4-75P72

Double Oban⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 103| CD

8/15

Made it 3 wins from his last 4 hurdles starts over C&D 9 days ago, well-positioned (held up) off a sound gallop and seemingly better the further he went. Wouldn't want this to be a crawl but nevertheless makes strong appeal racing off same mark as last week (due to go up 10 lb in future).

Form: 431211

Clinton Lane¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Theo Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 102| D

16/1

Has won a couple of races in maiden/novice company but yet to look like winning a handicap, latest effort finishing seventh of 11 in handicap hurdle at Bangor (16.7f, heavy) 13 days ago. Others looks more progressive.

Form: 5P13F7

Orange Diamond³⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 91

33/1

Fairly useful handicap hurdler in France. Campaigned over fences for current yard and looked sure to be involved in the finish when falling 2 out at Hereford (20.9f) back in February last year. However not seen since pulling up (lame) over hurdles the following month and market may be best guide.

Form: PPPPFP-

Simon The Seagull^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 74

8/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler placed for the first time on latest outing, benefitting from positive ride/first-time blinkers and a drop in distance when third in a handicap over C&D last month. Head carriage suggests he might not be the most straightforward and tough ask from 5 lb out of handicap.

Form: P40P-93

Non-Runners

Moonshine Man¹⁹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: Miss H C Knight J: Brendan Powell

Kingston Bresil⁶⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: Mrs L Hill J: Mrs Izzie Hill

Forecasts

Double Oban (8/15), Through The Ages (11/4), Simon The Seagull (8/1), Kingston Bresil (10/1), Moonshine Man (12/1), Clinton Lane (16/1), Orange Diamond (33/1)

Hat-trick seeking DOUBLE OBAN will be racing off a 10 lb higher mark in future following his decisive win in a conditional jockeys' race over C&D 9 days ago, and he is difficult to oppose racing unpenalised. Through The Ages chased him home that day and connections may choose to revert to more positive tactics which saw this horse to good effect when winning as a juvenile hurdler. Lightly-raced Moonshine Man shaped a bit better than his latest finishing position, having help force a strong pace.