16:20 Southwell

Wednesday 31 March 2021

All13:1513:4514:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

attheraces.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 5m 10.39s

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Selected odds by:

Project Mars^b²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁶⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 105

12/1

Gained second of his wins at Huntingdon in November and posted another sound effort there when fifth the following month. However, latest effort at Wincanton was tame and binkers refitted here.

Form:

Hereia^h¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: K E Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 105

20/1

Fair 2m hurdle winner in Ireland. Yet to seriously threaten for this yard, but continues to edge down the weights and it'd be no surprise were he to play a part in the finish.

Form:

Lifeisahighway^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁶⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 101

7/2

Winning pointer who hinted at ability initially in this sphere, but efforts since going down the handicap route have lacked spark.

Form:

Volunteer¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: S L Keightley| OR: 98

17/2

Posted one of his better efforts when third in a 9-runner Fakenham handicap (2½m, good to soft) recently. Down another 2 lb and should make his presence felt.

Form:

Classic Tune^t²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: C J Todd| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 94| CD

13/2

Low-key start to the campaign but doubled career tally when springing a surprise over C&D in December. Not disgraced back here off this mark last time and he's in with an each-way shout.

Form:

Shady Character^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Turner⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 92

9/1

Raised his game when third at Uttoxeter in November and performed to a similar level when fourth of 16 at Newcastle (20.3f, good to soft) last time. Still, more needed if he's to emerge on top here.

Form:

Newera²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁵⁾| T: J Groucott| OR: 91

11/1

Five-time winner on the Flat, but 0-8 in this sphere and while he didn't disgrace himself at Ludlow (15.8f, soft) last time, others make more appeal from a win point of view.

Form:

Alcock And Brown^p⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 82| D

7/1

Good fourth over C&D on latest start in this sphere in December, but hasn't got his head in front for the best part of 3 years and recent efforts on the Flat haven't been overly inspiring.

Form:

Bertie Blake^p,t1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁶⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 81| D

22/1

Scored twice at Sedgefield last winter, latterly off a 1 lb higher mark. Well below par in 5 appearances so far this season, though, and hopes pinned on first-time tongue strap sparking a revival.

Form:

Outlaw Jack¹⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 77

9/2

Point winner who has yet to strike under Rules, but there were positives to glean from his effort at Stratford (18.7f, good to soft) in November when returning from a 17-month absence. Possibilities.

Form:

Enforcement^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: M Keighley| OR: 76

14/1

Plumpton winner 2 years ago and put in a decent shift back from a break when fourth of 12 at Warwick (2m, soft). This step back up in trip looks a good move and he's worth a second look.

Form:

Overtougeorge²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 73

125/1

Modest bumper performer who has yet to show any ability in this sphere. Needs to take a big step forward now upped in trip for this handicap debut.

Form:

Midnight Jewel¹⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 73

28/1

No show in bumpers/novice hurdles and failed to find any improvement when tried in cheekpieces (omitted here) on handicap debut at Plumpton in September. Debut for new yard.

Form:

Stripe Of Honour^p1¹⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny Burton| T: A Day| OR: 66

200/1

No worthwhile form in various race-types and set for another struggle here from 13 lb out of the weights.

Form:

Non-Runners

Katachenko¹⁷⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 12

T: D McCain Jnr J: Abbie McCain

Forecasts

Lifeisahighway (7/2), Outlaw Jack (9/2), Classic Tune (13/2), Alcock And Brown (7/1), Volunteer (17/2), Shady Character (9/1), Newera (11/1), Project Mars (12/1), Katachenko (12/1), Enforcement (14/1), Hereia (20/1), Bertie Blake (22/1), Midnight Jewel (28/1), Overtougeorge (125/1), Stripe Of Honour (200/1)

It's worth chancing OUTLAW JACK, who has low mileage for a horse of his age and shaped encouragingly when returning from a lengthy layoff at Stratford in November. Hereia is worth another try at this trip and may provide the greatest threat, while the likes of Volunteer, Classic Tune and Enforcement make some each-way appeal.