17:05 Perth

Thursday 24 April 2025

All13:5514:2514:5515:2515:5916:3317:0517:36

Scone International Horse Trials Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 4m 4.15s

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Selected odds by:

Champagne Chic⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 119

25/1

Shirocco gelding who built on debut promise to readily land 7-runner novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f, heavy) 24 days ago. Ran too badly to be true when off the bridle a long way out at Fontwell subsequently. Has been given a break but needs to bounce back on his return.

Form: 614

Here Comes Georgie^t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: P Neville| OR: 119| CD

6/1

Has had a productive season, scoring twice here over hurdles prior to win at Wetherby and Ascot over fences. Shaped better than the bare result having raced close to a strong pace in the Morebattle last time. Has been given time to get over that run and could be a live outsider back down in class.

Form: 171168

Rock House^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118| D

11/2

Successful on debut in points and repeated the feat in bumpers/over hurdles during 2023. Below best in Morebattle Hurdle at the beginning of March but bounced straight back to form when third on chase debut later that month. Respected down in a 0-120 for the first time over hurdles.

Form: 42-3303

Bashful^p,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 117| D

8/1

Landed Musselburgh handicap hurdle prior to following up from an 11 lb higher mark at Kelso (16.2f, soft). Ran at least as well in bid for hat-trick when only finding a well handicapped one too good at Ayr in March before disappointing on Flat later that month. Solid claims back over hurdles.

Form: 855112

Klitschko^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Lucinda Hughes| OR: 116| D

11/1

In and out performer in 4 runs for current yard though on a going day latest, delivering more off the bridle to score in a handicap for the first time (Sedgefield, 16.8f), always holding on. Remains to be seen if he can build on that.

Form: 75-5441

Highlands Legacy⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115| D

9/2

Confirmed himself still in good form when third in a 12-runner Warwick handicap (21f) last month, not quite seeing out the longer trip. Drops markedly in distance but not discounted if getting a good pace to aim at.

Form: F1-2253

Imaginarium⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 115| CD

5/1

Useful Irish Flat performer opened hurdles account over C&D and doubled his tally when seeing off 7 rivals in 2m Huntingdon novice handicap in February. Tame effort when pulled-up at Exeter 48 days ago. Freshened up and no surprise to see him bounce back to form.

Form: 1551P

Mack The Man^b1³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 111| CD

33/1

Veteran C&D winner was third in this race last year and took a step back in the right direction at Ayr on penultimate outing. Failed to back that up when disappointing at Ayr 34 days ago. Now only 1 lb above his last winning mark and not dismissed if blinkers can spark a revival.

Form: 340P3P

El Jefe^h,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 105| D

40/1

Enjoyed a fine 2023/24, gaining a fifth victory at Aintree in April. Now races from below that winning mark having endured a poor season, faring no better when well-held at Ayr last month. Leap of faith required.

Form: 71-8706

Simple Star¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 105| CD

18/1

Comfortable C&D winner when last seen over hurdles and returned to form on the Flat 11 days ago, beaten just over 2 lengths in a 12.5f Musselburgh handicap, met trouble in running. That bodes well for his return to this sphere.

Form: 22008/1

Wolfburg¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 103| D

40/1

Progressed from his hurdling debut when landing a Catterick maiden hurdle in February 2024. However, he's checked out tamely on two runs since (latest after 5 months off) back in October. Something to prove now returning from another absence.

Form: 0341-PP

Cuban Cigar^t,v¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Conner McCann⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 103| D

6/1

Tricky to catch right but was second in this race from 11 lb higher last year. Hasn't been in anything like that form this season and now retried in different headgear combination. Well-treated if on a going day.

Form: 474874

Vocal Duke¹¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 95| D

50/1

Hasn't won since debut for this stable back in July 2022 but handicap mark has fallen significantly, and he has gone well fresh in the past. One to note in the betting on return.

Form: 763776

Maple³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 102

12/1

Advanced his form when second at Catterick in January. Failed to repeat that at Kelso next time but bounced straight back when creditable third of 6 in a juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh (17.4f) last month. Should give a good account in receipt of useful 4-y-o weight allowance.

Form: 4U2243

Forecasts

Highlands Legacy (9/2), Imaginarium (5/1), Rock House (11/2), Here Comes Georgie (6/1), Cuban Cigar (6/1), Bashful (8/1), Klitschko (11/1), Maple (12/1), Simple Star (18/1), Champagne Chic (25/1), Mack The Man (33/1), Wolfburg (40/1), El Jefe (40/1), Vocal Duke (50/1)

Down in a 0-120 for the first time over hurdles, ROCK HOUSE can record his first handicap success for title chasing Dan Skelton. Bashful has been thriving over hurdles this season and merits plenty of respect, while Highlands Legacy could be dangerous back down in distance having not quite seen out the longer trip last time. Vocal Duke, Simple Star and Cuban Cigar all deserve an honourable mention in a very competitive handicap.