16:23 Market Rasen

Friday 9 May 2025

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2317:00

Victor Lucas Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:24 | Winning time: 5m 57.64s

Billy Boi Blue^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 125

17/2

Wetherby winner in October and added to his tally with a game display at Ayr (24.3f, good) back from a break last month. 3 lb rise fair enough and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 313P51-

Scrum Diddly³³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| BF

10/1

Progressive in this sphere for Oliver Sherwood in 2023 and successful once and placed 3 times from 5 starts over fences for this yard. Trip/ground fine back over hurdles but 11-month absence to overcome.

Form: 2623/13-

Willaston^t,p³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 121

10/1

Snapped a losing run when getting on top in the shadow of the post at Carlisle (19.3f, good) last month. Remains on an attractive mark following a 2 lb nudge and he's one to consider.

Form: 344551-

Hardy Boy¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 121| CD

22/1

Back to winning ways over C&D last summer and made the frame on each of his next 3 starts. Ran no sort of a race at Newbury when last seen in November but given a break since and he's pretty consistent on the whole.

Form: 142479-

Fils De Roi³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119

16/1

Got back on the up when second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (2½m, heavy) in November. Probably needed the run back from a break at Ffos Las last month but others are preferred all the same. Yard also saddles Accidental Legend.

Form: 052/626-

Bethpage²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 119

10/3

Progressive mare who notched fourth career win following a wind op in a 3-runner Wincanton handicap (24.7f, good) in March. Unlucky not to follow up dropped to 20.2f at Cheltenham next time and she's a major player.

Form: 132012-

Letterston Lady²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 112

15/8

Dual bumper winner who also scored twice in this sphere during 2022/23 campaign. Proved that she retains her ability when a good third in a 9-runner Ffos Las handicap (2½m, soft) last month and this 7-y-o has to enter calculations.

Form: 15441/3-

Uokhun^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 110| D

5/1

Off the mark at Hexham in March and further progress when accounting for 9 rivals at Southwell (24.3f, good to soft) last month. 8 lb rise tolerable and she remains relatively unexposed as a stayer.

Form: 453171-

Accidental Legend^p¹⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 109| C| D

50/1

Enjoyed a productive 2023/24 campaign but he didn't shown much in 3 appearances during the winter and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 221/6PP-

Forecasts

Letterston Lady (15/8), Bethpage (10/3), Uokhun (5/1), Billy Boi Blue (17/2), Willaston (10/1), Scrum Diddly (10/1), Fils De Roi (16/1), Hardy Boy (22/1), Accidental Legend (50/1)

UOKHUN has improved since moving up in trip and while an 8 lb rise for last month's Southwell success demands a new personal best, she may well proved equal to the task. Next on the list is Bethpage, who lost no caste in defeat at Cheltenham and, like the selection, she is unexposed as a stayer. Billy Boi Blue won't go down without a fight and he is also shortlisted, along with Letterston Lady.