SUGAR ROAD was capable of fairly-useful form on the level and appeals as the type to do better now sent handicapping in this sphere. He gets the nod in an open-looking contest. Drop Kick, Cher Monsieur and Junkyard Dog make up the shortlist.
Sugar Road
Drop Kick
Cher Monsieur
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 4 places
1. Merry Shuil
J: Sean QuinlanT: Jennie Candlish
F: 0/34-9
Price History:
-
Age:
8
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
61
Verdict
Posted encouraging hurdles/stable debut at Carlisle in February and far from disgraced, back from 7 months off, when ninth of 12 in novice (66/1) at Uttoxeter (15.8f, heavy) 61 days ago. Warrants respect on handicap debut.
2. Aquitaine Boy
J: Brian HughesT: Ruth Jefferson
F: 18234-P5U
Price History:
-
Age:
11
Weight:
11-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
97
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Won this contest (off 2 lb lower) 12 months ago and posted several creditable efforts in defeat since. Unseated early on here latest and is likely to make presence felt again.
3. Sugar Road
J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.T: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
F: 4P5
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
94
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Fairly-useful maiden on the Flat for Andrew Balding. No impact in a trio of starts over timber but fared best of those held up when fifth in novice at Market Rasen (16.6f, good, 80/1) 20 days ago and likely has more to offer on handicap hurdle debut.
4. Cher Tara
J: Callum BewleyT: Daragh Bourke
F: 3P-P63957
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
94
Days Since Last Run:
24
Verdict
Shaped better than distance beaten, on first run since leaving Gordon Elliott, when respectable seventh of 13 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) 24 days ago. 1 lb lower now and not ruled out.
5. Drop Kick
J: Jamie HamiltonT: Mark Walford
F: 6-77123
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
93
Days Since Last Run:
32
Verdict
Left his 3 qualifying runs behind when making a successful handicap debut at Carlisle (19.3f) in November and made the frame in both starts over same C&D since. Likely contender.
6. Lady Phoebe
J: Ryan ManiaT: Adam Nicol
F: P-76
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
93
Days Since Last Run:
48
Verdict
Modest 13f Flat winner who showed her first form in this sphere when sixth of 14 in novice hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) 48 days ago. May do better now sent handicapping.
7. Scairp Dubh
J: Peter KavanaghT: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith
F: 27656
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
92
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Won point bumper in March and second in Wetherby bumper (sole start for Tjade Collier) in May. Yet to threaten in 4 starts over hurdles for this yard, however, including on handicap debut at Catterick last month.
8. Luminaries
J: Patrick WadgeT: Ewan Whillans
F: P-16P33P9
Price History:
-
Age:
9
Weight:
11-2
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
88
Days Since Last Run:
24
Verdict
Won 3 on the spin over this C&D last spring but been more miss than hit since, including returned to hurdling at Musselburgh latest.
9. De Deli Counter
J: Charlotte JonesT: Mark Walford
F: 46P
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-1
Gear:
visor
Official Rating:
87
Days Since Last Run:
69
Verdict
Fourth of 5 finishers in Irish point in May and little to get excited about in 3 starts over hurdles so far. Goes handicapping with plenty to prove,
10. Cap Ricochet
J: Charlie MaggsT: John Dawson
F: 475U62-40
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
86
Days Since Last Run:
76
Verdict
Bettered previous efforts when chasing home long odds-on winner on final run for Paul Collins in April. but no real impact in a couple of starts for new yard this term. Tongue strap on for first time.
11. Leader Wing
J: Theo GillardT: Gillian Boanas
F: 623-44625
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-0
Gear:
visor
Official Rating:
86
Days Since Last Run:
24
Verdict
Still looking for first win over hurdles but has dropped to a handy mark and arrives on back of respectable fifth of 13 in handicap hurdle (7/2) at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Each-way claims.
12. Long Time Listener
J: Tom MidgleyT: Tim Easterby
F: 6/673-09
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
84
Days Since Last Run:
48
Verdict
Point bumper winner in February 2024 but hasn't pulled up any trees under Rules so far and it's probably best to look elsewhere.
13. Reliance Kid
J: William MaggsT: Andrew Wilson
F: 7-99
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
10-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
83
Days Since Last Run:
46
Verdict
Well held in a bumper only start for Gordon Elliott, though did go on to finish runner-up on second of 2 outings in Irish points. However, has made little impact in a trio of novice hurdles for current yard, so needs to find improvement on switch to handicaps.
14. Steel Soldier
J: Conor RabbittT: John Norton
F: 06-99
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
19
Verdict
Little impact in Irish points and same story under Rules thus far. Can start handicapping from basement mark at least.
15. Junkyard Dog
J: Craig NicholT: Iain Jardine
F: 345
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
10-9
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
96
Days Since Last Run:
48
Verdict
Fair Flat winner for Joseph O'Brien who posted his best effort for new yard when fifth of 8 in juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft, 11/1) 48 days ago. Worth monitoring in market on handicap hurdle debut.
16. Cher Monsieur
J: Conor O'FarrellT: Neil Mulholland
F: 9090-354
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
79
Days Since Last Run:
44
Verdict
Modest maiden who ran creditably, back from 6-month absence, when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) 34 days ago. 1 lb lower now and could be a player.
17. Laddie Cooper Mia
J: Joshua ThompsonT: Adam Nicol
F: 5/26587-46
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-5
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
77
Days Since Last Run:
45
Verdict
Failed to build on reappearance fourth for her new yard when only sixth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (19.5f, heavy) 45 days ago. However, not written off yet in her bid for a maiden success.