13:45 Southwell

Thursday 7 September 2023

All13:4514:1814:4815:1815:5516:2516:55

St Leger Festival Tips On attheraces.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 8.59s

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Selected odds by:

Big Difference^v⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 100| D

22/1

Won a couple of small-field handicap chases for Tim Reed in the first half of last season. Lost his way lately but well handicapped if a switch to Laura Morgan sparks a revival. Market confidence could prove significant.

Form: 1255-6P

Tedwin Hills¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 97

3/1

Lightly-raced maiden over hurdles who has finished fourth in a couple of handicaps this summer (had wind surgery in between). Steps back up in trip for chase debut.

Form: 872P-44

Mystic Man^p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 89| CD

5/4

Point winner who left hurdle exploits behind when winning 2 handicap chases at the start of the summer. Run of good form came to an abrupt halt when pulled up at Uttoxeter in July (final start for Oliver Sherwood) but could bounce back with a bang for Harry Derham.

Form: 89P-11P

Bergentown^t1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 88| D

10/1

Little worthwhile form in 16 starts over hurdles in Ireland but left those efforts well behind on first start for this yard when scoring at Bangor (19.5f, good) in June. Down the field both outings since and now switches to fences with a tongue strap added.

Form: 00P-189

Conceal^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 87| D

6/1

Won at Uttoxeter last autumn. One of his better efforts since when third at Stratford on reappearance in July but not in the same form when a remote fourth back there since.

Form: 36UP-34

Fox's Socks^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 84| D

28/1

Mixed record over fences for Alex Hales and it remains to be seen whether a change of scenery sparks an upturn in his fortunes.

Form: 25-3P39

Onenightintown^p,t⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 77

14/1

Two chase wins at the end of last summer. Not disgraced at the start of this season and has Brian Hughes up back from a short break. Not discounted.

Form: 126-465

Carapaz^p1,t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: R Patrick| T: David Dennis| OR: 72

14/1

Failed to complete both starts in points and has no more than hinted at ability under Rules, including a remote sixth on his recent Worcester chase debut. A first-time cheekpieces and refitted tongue tie combination needs to spark improvement.

Form: P87P86

Non-Runners

Cheer's Delboy¹⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 10

T: H Dickin J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mystic Man (5/4), Tedwin Hills (3/1), Conceal (6/1), Bergentown (10/1), Cheer's Delboy (12/1), Carapaz (14/1), Onenightintown (14/1), Big Difference (22/1), Fox's Socks (28/1)

MYSTIC MAN ended his time with Oliver Sherwood on a low note but he could resume his progression now. Big Difference is well handicapped if a switch to Laura Morgan prompts an upturn in his fortunes and rates a possible threat, particularly if the betting vibes are strong. Onenightintown is also shortlisted with Brian Hughes in the saddle.