Saints In The Community Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:09 | Winning time: 5m 2.23s

Matchless^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 119| D

10/3

Confidence restored by victory in a Hexham seller in May and followed up from a reduced mark back in a handicap at Southwell (20f) later that month. Confirmed his versatility trip-wise when landing the hat-trick returned to Hexham (23.3f) 29 days ago but will need to improve to land the 4-timer.

Form: 643-111

Invictus World^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr D McGill⁽⁷⁾| T: Gerald Quinn| OR: 113

17/2

Ran well off 4 lb lower to finish third at Hexham over 2½m last June but hasn't kicked on from that, for all he may not have been suited by running over longer trips on his most recent starts. Likely needed the run at Cartmel over 22f (pulled-up) last month and worth a market check back at 2½m.

Form: 4F/3F7-P

Jakana²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: P W Wadge| T: L Kerr| OR: 106| D

22/1

Dual winner for Fergal O'Brien last season but rather lost his way for that yard. Step back in the right direction when a somewhat fortunate runner-up at Hexham (20.1f), deserving credit for sticking at it having been the first off the bridle. Remains to be seen if she can back that up.

Form: 11505-2

Tommie Gun^t1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 101| BF

4/1

Fair sort for Nigel Twiston-Davies and unlucky not to cash in on a reduced mark (and land a gamble) on stable debut when runner-up at Hexham 3 weeks ago, having been in control when making a mistake at the last. Only up 1 lb and may well gain compensation in a first time tongue tie.

Form: 34PPP-3

Coventry³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 99

7/2

Creditable second at Cartmel for these connections last Autumn but didn't back that up in two subsequent starts. Likely having a pipe-opener over an inadequate trip at Perth (16.2f) last month and while he's fallen to a more realistic mark, he still has a bit to find with the best of these.

Form: 9/6268-7

Trailblazer^p,t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 95| C

9/4

Course winner resumed winning ways at Sedgefield in April and in good nick since, for all he was unsuited by the emphasis on speed when fourth over 2m here last month. Handicapper has given him a chance and looks ready for this step back up in trip. Not ruled out under talented conditional jockey.

Form: 4312-34

Non-Runners

Luckie Seven²⁴⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: N G Richards J: Danny McMenamin

Forecasts

Trailblazer (9/4), Luckie Seven (5/2), Matchless (10/3), Coventry (7/2), Tommie Gun (4/1), Invictus World (17/2), Jakana (22/1)

TOMMIE GUN looked all set to make a winning stable debut at Hexham last month, only to be undone by an error at the final flight. He looks on a good mark for new connections and can make amends in a first time tongue tie. Luckie Seven defied an absence to make a winning hurdles debut over C&D last summer and is feared most returning from a break, while the consistent Trailblazer should be suited by this step up in trip and can give a good account under a valuable 7 lb conditional.