16:35 Hexham

Saturday 14 October 2017

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

intu Eldon Square Alive After Five Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 29.4s

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Selected odds by:

Island Heights^v1²⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122| D

13/2

Favours soft ground and this sort of trip but almost two years now since last win. Off since December and first time visor applied. 3lb below last winning mark but questions to answer.

Form: 54/4666-

Total Assets¹⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 119| D

8/1

Three wins and three placed efforts in last six starts over both hurdles and fences so clearly in rude health. Up a further 3lb to career high after latest second but in current form it won't concern her and should go well again.

Form: 123112-

Classical Milano¹⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 119| CD

18/1

Left first two efforts well behind when upped in trip to today's C&D in April. That was a maiden and steps into handicaps for first time. Opening mark not impossible but will have to be fully fit first time out.

Form: P/U4841-

Beyondtemptation^h,t⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Haynes| OR: 113| C

9/2

Six of 11 career wins have come here although none over this far. Again re-invigorated when back here last time finishing third after some ordinary runs. Trip the biggest doubt today but never dismissed at this course.

Form: F80853

Bellaney Knight⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 112

7/2

Novice hurdle winner has been competitive off higher marks in limited handicap career to date. Trip ideal although ground a slight concern but relatively unexposed and off lowest mark so far he is respected.

Form: 21338-4

Grand Enterprise¹³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: H Hogarth| OR: 110

9/1

In fine form earlier this year and every chance when fell at the last in final start in May. Faces career high mark and probably ground softer than ideal today but could remain on the upgrade this season.

Form: 4252-3F

Gamain^b²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 109

11/4

Off the mark at second time of asking for current yard latest when narrow winner at Newton Abbot. 4lb higher here and that was just a four runner race so likely find this tougher.

Form: 2/456-61

Native Optimist³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Walton| OR: 100| CD

11/1

Veteran continues to run well and sprung a surprise at Perth in July. Bounced back from two poor runs when second again at Perth last month. Softer ground and higher mark here makes things tougher.

Form: 741082

Non-Runners

Landecker¹⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: N W Alexander J: Lucy Alexander

Forecasts

Gamain (11/4), Bellaney Knight (7/2), Beyondtemptation (9/2), Island Heights (13/2), Landecker (7/1), Total Assets (8/1), Grand Enterprise (9/1), Native Optimist (11/1), Classical Milano (18/1)

Towards the end of last season TOTAL ASSETS was very much on an upward curve and if she can pick up where she left off here she has every chance of winning again. It would be foolish to dismiss course specialist Beyondtemptation here although there are doubts over this longer trip. Bellaney Knight is one who looks on a workable mark to start this season and is respected also.