Scone Palace Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 58.3s

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Selected odds by:

Whatmore²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 140| D

9/4

Made a sound start to the season when finishing third in the Silver Trophy; built on that with a Bangor win in much less exacting company (race rather fell apart). Shaped well on his return from a break last time at Aintree; this task an easier one.

Form: 81-3177

Count Simon^b³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| BF

3/1

Consistent hurdler who hasn't finished out the first three in his last six runs since having four months off. Made the running (changed tactics) in a Downpatrick conditions event last time; respected back in a handicap given his connections.

Form: 322322

Secrete Stream¹⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore⁽⁷⁾| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 133| D

9/1

Has run some of his best races fresh and underlined that point with a Haydock win off a seven month break last time (2m3f, heavy). Returns from another (shorter) absence here off a 4lb higher mark; one to take into consideration.

Form: 4/5353-1

One For Harry⁴⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 129| D

13/2

Run plenty of times here but has never won at the track despite twice finishing second in this race. Given a chance by the handicapper now (eased 6lb below last winning mark); ridden by good value conditional, may just need an ease in grade.

Form: 34-8544

Schiehallion Munro^h⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 127| D

4/1

The most unexposed of the party (2-4 over hurdles); looks to have a very positive profile. Makes his handicap debut under an improving young conditional; could well be up to the task off this mark, interesting to see any market positivity.

Form: 43-2121

Spirit Of Kayf⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 126

16/1

Bumper/hurdles winner when with Sandy Thomson in 2016 but only returned to action late last year for this yard. Has some form which suggests this mark is a lenient one but a lacklustre display last time means he's best watched for now.

Form: 1F1/546

Sky Khan^p,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123| D

9/1

Has posted some credible efforts of late but on a losing run that stretches back to November 2015 (still only 7lb below that mark). Looked rather laboured when last seen (just going through the motions); hard to win with, others offer more.

Form: P24235

Non-Runners

Wicked Willy¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Whatmore (9/4), Wicked Willy (5/2), Count Simon (3/1), Schiehallion Munro (4/1), One For Harry (13/2), Sky Khan (9/1), Secrete Stream (9/1), Spirit Of Kayf (16/1)

There appears to be some useful form on display here with the third of Whatmore in the Silver Trophy particularly noteworthy; his recent effort at Aintree indicating he was still worthy of consideration. Count Simon from the Elliott yard who have to be respected with all their runners here is interesting back in a handicap especially if the forcing tactics used last time are employed again. Both Secrete Stream (best fresh) and One For Harry (looks well handicapped) are worthy of a second look but it’s the unexposed handicap debutante SCHIEHALLION MUNRO who catches the eye the most. He’s likely to have more improvement left in him and he’s taken to make it three wins from five over hurdles.