Swinton Hurdle 2013

[Lester]

Nice days jump racing up in Haydock....some stats for big race at http://www.fatjockey.com/news-blogs/...urdle-2013-104

[Statto]

Age
13 of the last 15 winners were aged 5, 6 or 7, 7yo's have won the race 3 times including 3 of the last 4 runnings

Weight
11 of the last 15 winners have carried 11-00 or less to victory here

Last Time Out
11 of the last 15 winners have finished in the first 4 on their last run

Last Run
12 of the last 15 winners had their last run between 21 & 50 days ago

Official Rating
14 of the last 15 winners were officially rated 141 or under

Runs last season
11 of the last 15 winners had at least 5 runs last season

Hurdle wins
All of the last 15 winners had won at least 2 hurdle races

Handicap Hurdle wins
10 of the last 15 winners had already won a Handicap Hurdle before winning this

Shortlist

Red Inca
Turn Over Sivola
Rumble Of Thunder

Trainers of all three are in good form so might back all 3 ew and in forecasts

[mayo]

Good work gents

Man on The Spot with the Inca

A cracking renewal of what is always a well-contested handicap hurdle. Nicky Henderson, who won this in 2010 and 2011 with Eradicate, is represented by Forgotten Voice, who has won and finished second in Grade 2 events in his last two starts, and Cape Express. The latter rattled up a four-timer last season. Paul Nicholls runs the useful Mr Mole, just behind Starluck at Cheltenham last month, and chaser Toubab while Turn Over Sivola and Rumble of Thunder arrive off the back of wins in decent company and can't be ignored. Taunton scorer Cry Of Freedom can improve further while Irish raider Silk Hall and the returning Street Entertainer look fairly treated. But we like the look of RED INCA near the foot of the weights as recent rain should have taken any sting out of the ground. Brian Ellison's versatile performer, lightly-raced this year, was just touched off at Ayr last time and won here in March.

Catching Pigeons likes the favourite

It may seem strange to devote a chunk of the column to Nicky Henderson but he's confident of landing the feature Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (formerly the Swinton Hurdle) with Forgotten Voice. This has looked an ideal target for the former Royal Hunt Cup winner all season but connections are casting an anxious eye to the sky as any further rain is very much not in his favour.

Stablemate Tour D'Argent endured no luck at all last season but would have a solid chance in the Pertemps Network Intermediate Handicap Chase although it is a very competitive heat.

There are fewer concerns about the ground at Kempton on Sunday and that has persuaded Henderson to run one of his more promising bumper types, In Fairness, in the finale. He shows smart form at home, Barry Geraghty hangs around to ride, and is expected to win.

[mayo]

Ground a concern

Former smart Flat performer Forgotten Voice chased home crack stablemate My Tent Or Yours at a respectable distance at Aintree five weeks ago.

Cape Express has been waiting for better conditions since being down the field behind Raya Star at Ascot in November. He carries the colours of owner Alan Spence worn by Eradicate, who won this race for the Henderson team in 2010 and 2011.

“I hope it doesn’t rain. It’s absolutely vital Forgotten Voice has decent ground. By watering Aintree as they did they ruined his chance and I hope they haven’t ruined it at Haydock,” said the Seven Barrows trainer.

“Cape Express is a summer horse as well. We’ve kept them ready to run in races like this.”

Evan Williams’ decision to take top-weight Court Minstrel out paid off as his other entry, Barizan, just made the cut for the Merseyside feature.

The Llancarfan trainer had aimed the seven-year-old at this valuable contest, registered as the Swinton Handicap Hurdle, since he finished fourth in the Imperial Cup at Sandown in March.

Barizan has slipped down the ratings and will run off a 12lb lower mark than he was sixth in this race two years ago. “He’s run very well in this race before and, make no mistake, he is well treated on his best form, but whether he is as good as he was is debatable,” said Williams.

“He’s had a wind operation since his last run as we thought it might benefit him.

“Court Minstrel doesn’t run for two reasons – one: he had top weight and two: I wanted Barizan to run.

“He will go out on his summer break now.”

The weights have gone up 3lb due to Court Minstrel’s absence, leaving Starluck to head the handicap.

Because of that, as well as the assessor having raised him 6lb after a narrow success at Cheltenham four weeks ago, trainer David Arbuthnot has booked 5lb claiming amateur Nico de Boinville for the ride.

“He’s got top weight now which is why we’re taking the 5lb off,” said Arbuthnot. “He’s been put up 6lb for winning a nose last time when Tom (Cannon) claimed 3lb, so effectively he’s 9lb higher.

“He seems to be in good form. He’s a bit older now, but last year he ran off 150 when top weight in the County Hurdle.

“I’m hopeful and the ground should be fine for him.”

Turn Over Sivola was bumped up 11lb by the handicapper for winning at Wincanton a month ago.

His trainer Alan King is praying the ground is suitable for the six-year-old.

“Good ground is the key to Turn Over Sivola, and the first time he got his conditions at Wincanton last month he bolted by by six lengths,” the Barbury Castle handler told www.alankingracing.co.uk.

“The handicapper hiked him up 11lb for that, but he is an improving type and we hope that he will be competitive.”

John Ferguson wants the rain to stay away for Cry Of Freedom, who responded to a first-time visor when successful at Taunton recently.

“He had the visor on for the first time at Taunton and obviously we hope it has the same effect,” said the Newmarket handler. “The one thing about him is that he is ground dependent and the quicker the ground, the better he’ll run. We’ve got to pray for the rain to stay away.”

[mayo]

Mrs Harrington keen on jetson earlier on card


We have 10 runners over the weekend, with Jetson heading to Haydock for another three-mile handicap hurdle. He is in great form and deserves a good pot, having been third at Cheltenham and second at Aintree.

He renews his rivalry with Battle Group, who skated home by 10 lengths at Aintree and came out two days later to do something similar over fences. We have a 15lbs pull in the weights and with Nigel de Boinville claiming 5lbs, that will be 20lbs. So, I’m expecting a very big run, particularly as the ground is good.