15:05 Carlisle

Sunday 5 November 2017

All12:5513:3014:0014:3015:0515:3516:10

Bet At racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 6.3s

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Selected odds by:

Shantou Bob^t²⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 146| D

5/1

Has a touch of class but 9lb higher than for Chepstow win on penultimate start last season. Well behind top class Unowhatimeanharry subsequently and season ended there so may have had issues. This trip well short of best.

Form: 36P/215-

Desert Cry^b¹⁹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 145| D

14/1

Veteran won three times last season. Struggled last twice on ground quick enough but much happier in these sort of conditions. 5lb higher than last winning mark but won first time out in the past.

Form: 114100-

One For Harry¹⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: A Nicol| T: N G Richards| OR: 137| CD

8/1

27L second to re-opposing Desert Cry on penultimate start before ending season with a fourth at Perth. Competitive off this sort of mark in past but tough to see turnaround with Desert Cry.

Form: 6/P1224-

Eminent Poet²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135| D

13/2

Consistent sort won three times last season at up to 3m1f. Just as effective at 2m4f and progressive enough to handle another rise in weight. Loves soft ground like most from yard.

Form: 411813-

Tomngerry⁵⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 132

11/2

Won first four races under rules and lone point-to-point before pulling up in Aintree Grade One. Unknown quantity for top Northern yard in first handicap and suggestion he could be significantly better than opening mark.

Form: 11111P/

Sky Khan^p,t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 128| D

10/1

Kept on the go throughout the summer without success and losing run now at 14. With no relief from handicapper for last four ordinary events he is hard to fancy.

Form: 02-8U36

Head To The Stars²³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 127| D

8/1

Huge improvement in fourth start last season when a 40/1 winner at Leicester. Showed fair form in next two starts but this a step up in class for handicap debut.

Form: 60/7124-

Top Ville Ben^h¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Cook| T: P A Kirby| OR: 127

10/1

Won two novice hurdles for Nicky Henderson over 1m7½f. Not disgraced in two starts for current yard but barely stays 2m so this trip looks sure to see him a non-stayer.

Form: 112F4-6

Westend Story²⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124| BF

11/4

Dual bumper winner and Cheltenham bumper fifth was beaten favourite in three hurdle races last season (brought down latest). Bumped into Neptune hurdle winner on debut and likely smart one next. Huge interest off bottom weight here.

Form: 115/32B-

Forecasts

Westend Story (11/4), Shantou Bob (5/1), Tomngerry (11/2), Eminent Poet (13/2), One For Harry (8/1), Head To The Stars (8/1), Top Ville Ben (10/1), Sky Khan (10/1), Desert Cry (14/1)

Smart bumper performer WESTEND STORY could make a mockery of this handicap mark for Phillip Hobbs and Richard Johnson. Things didn't go to plan last season but he could be one of the best handicapped hurdlers in training at present. It would be no surprise if Tomngerry is also better than his opening handicap mark after a very impressive start to his hurdling career and he is an obvious threat. The others could be at the mercy of this unexposed pair but Eminent Poet improved throughout the season last year and ought to remain competitive off his current mark.