14:52 Stratford

Sunday 23 July 2023

All14:2014:2214:5215:2215:5216:2216:52

Allan Atkinson Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 6m 39.6s

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Selected odds by:

Daybreak Boy^p⁶¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: M Gates| OR: 100

125/1

Dual ex-Irish hurdle winner during 2018/19 campaign but patchy form since. Struggled for this yard in 2021 and can only be watched back from a long absence.

Form: 88747P/

Bright Sunbird^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 95

7/1

Back-to-back winner last summer (awarded 2¾m novice at Cartmel). Started this summer with 3 respectable efforts but well below par at Southwell last time.

Form: 57-2435

Top Man¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: C Gordon| OR: 89

11/1

Three-time winner but below par on both outings since returning from a lengthy absence. Has something to prove for now.

Form: 5136/30

Corrany^b³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 87

22/1

Has struggled over fences lately and it remains to be seen whether a return to hurdles sparks a revival.

Form: 23P0-VP

Saved By The River^b1³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 80

9/1

Cut little ice in bumpers and only poor form over jumps, although he did show better signs from his reduced mark when third in a Fontwell handicap hurdle last month. The task is to build on that.

Form: 9U4P-63

Racing Spirit^b¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 76

17/2

Only one win from 29 starts over hurdles, which came back in July 2020. Made a good return to action when second at Southwell (3m) in June but not in the same form at Worcester since. Blinkers back on.

Form: 5/230-26

Orchestrated^p³⁶⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: M Young| OR: 76

33/1

Poor and inconsistent chaser in recent years. Easy to oppose back hurdling after a year off.

Form: 3P/5235-

Saxon Queen⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 73| D

15/8

Has returned from an absence an improved performer, building on Ffos Las second to go one better over 26.5f at Newton Abbot last month. Can defy a small nudge from the handicapper with her yard continuing in excellent form.

Form: 9050/21

Dakota Beat^p,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Norton| OR: 73

10/1

One of better efforts for current yard when sixth of 12 at Market Rasen last month but others are still readily preferred.

Form: 5P6P6-6

Testflight³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 72

10/3

Better than result on a couple of occasions since switching to handicaps, doing plenty up with the pace when fourth of 8 over 19f at Fontwell last time. Up significantly in trip.

Form: 4537-54

Non-Runners

Ernesto²⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: C J Todd

Classic Concorde¹³

Weight: 11-8| Age: 10

T: D Brace J: C Brace

Prison Break⁴⁵

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: Tim Vaughan J: Alan Johns

Forecasts

Saxon Queen (15/8), Testflight (10/3), Classic Concorde (11/2), Bright Sunbird (7/1), Prison Break (8/1), Racing Spirit (17/2), Saved By The River (9/1), Dakota Beat (10/1), Top Man (11/1), Ernesto (12/1), Corrany (22/1), Orchestrated (33/1), Daybreak Boy (125/1)

SAXON QUEEN only won a small-field race at Newton Abbot last month but the second won next time and she still looks well treated off effectively 2 lb higher this afternoon. Recent Worcester runner-up Classic Concorde is second choice ahead of Prison Break, who is well treated and hinted at a revival last time.