Hand On Bach has been given a chance by the handicapper and makes plenty of appeal at 9/1 in the 4.10 at Southwell today.
Warren Greatrex’s charge didn’t trouble the judge over hurdles alst season, but his runs were not devoid of promise and he showed enough to suggest he is capable of winning races.
His best run came when finishing seventh of 12 to ChatterBox at Newbury where he led until hittig the fourth last and after being headed three out weakened between the last two flights to be beaten 13 3/4 lengths.
The winner is rated 143, the sceond home Lac Fontana went on to finish eighth in the Triumph Hurdle and wojn the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last week off a mark of 139, and the fifth home Leo Luna went on to score twice and is now rated 135.
That is strong form and resulted in the selection being given an opening handicap mark of 117.
He didn’t run too badly off it when 9th of 15 to Baby Shine at Kempton, before disappointing next time up when well baeten at Newbury.
However he then rounded of last season with a better effort to finish sixth of 15 to Hatters River at Wincanton, and didn’t run as badly as his final finishing position suggests when 10th of 15 to subsequent Ladbroke Hurdle winner Willow’s Saviour in a class 4 contest at Ascot on his seasonal reapperance off a mark of 105.
He then failed his attentions siwtched to chasing and failed to cut any ice in two runs over the larger obstacles.
However, conncetiosn are now switching him back to hurdles and he gets into this class 5 affair off a career-low mark of just 98.
That is 20lbs lower thahn his initial mark and gives him major claims at the weights, particularly on his run behind Chatterbox.
His handler is also now in far better form, and with Gavin Sheehan in the saddle taking another 3lb off his back he looks weighted to run a huge race.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Hand On Bach (9/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
