Victor Lucas Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4YO plus)
2m 7f 16y Good
Sunny spells
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119 Expert View: Needed run after wind op well beaten in a handicap hurdle at Haydock latest; second run after wind op; effective around 2m4f on good to soft; worth ignoring latest, looks useful and a strong stayer, beat Grade 1 winner on return.
Form Snapshot: Successful in two hurdle races at 2m 3f and 2m 4f on good to soft and soft ground. Well beaten at 11-2 behind George's Lad when eighth of 11 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Haydock over 2m 5f (good) last month.
117 Expert View: Returned to form in first time blinkers, fine ride stealing first run on runner up landing a handicap by 2l off a 5lb lower mark at Uttoxeter last time; effective 2m4f-3m, acts on any; consistent, needs more.
Form Snapshot: He has won two hurdle races and a chase from 2m 7f to 3m on good and good to soft ground. A winner at 18-1 in a hurdle race at Uttoxeter over 2m 7f (good to soft) on his latest outing in March, beating Sunray Shadow by 2l.
113 Expert View: Made too much use of down the field in a handicap hurdle at Haydock most recent; in good form prior; trainer in form; effective 2 1/2-3m, needs sound surface; running well until latest.
Form Snapshot: Winner of four hurdle races and a point-to-point from 2m 5f to 3m 2f on good and good - yielding ground. Well beaten at 16-1 behind Walden when last of 9 on her latest outing in a hurdle race at Haydock over 3m (good) last month.
126 Expert View: Did it easily, returned to form up in trip landing a handicap by 3l off a 9lb lower mark at Bangor-on-Dee last time; effective 2m4f-3m, suited by decent ground; may have more to offer for new yard over staying trips.
Form Snapshot: Successful in a hurdle race and a point-to-point at 2m 7f and 3m on good ground. Won on his latest outing in a hurdle race when 15-8fav at Bangor-on-Dee over 2m 7f (good) in March, beating Escort'kheops by 2 3/4l.
116 Expert View: Below form up in trip, may not have stayed well beaten in a handicap hurdle at Wetherby latest; tongue-tie first time; off a short-break; effective 2-2 1/2m; inconsistent.
Form Snapshot: Successful in two hurdle races at 2m on good to soft and soft ground, but last win was over two years ago. Beaten 19l behind Imperial Merlin at 9-1 when seventh of 10 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Wetherby over 3m (good to soft) in March. Having his first run for a new stable today.
116 Expert View: Unseated in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter latest; effective 2 1/2m, suited by decent ground; generally out of form, needs to build on latest completed start.
Form Snapshot: He has won two hurdle races and a point-to-point from 2m 3f to 3m on good and soft ground, but last win was over two years ago. Unseated rider when 14-1 at Uttoxeter over 2m 7f (good to soft) in a hurdle race won by Idefix De Ciergues in March on his latest outing.
123 Expert View: Scored by 1 1/2l off a 5lb lower mark here penultimate start; effective 2 1/2-3m, suited by decent ground; consistent.
Form Snapshot: Successful in two hurdle races at 2m 4f and 2m 7f on good and good to soft ground. Finished 4 1/2l behind Kent De Thaix when fourth of 6 at 9-4fav on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Wetherby over 3m (good) in March.
121 Expert View: Ran to form, possibly hit front too soon when second beaten 4l in a handicap hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee latest; effective 3m on good; in form, hurdles mark generous.
Form Snapshot: Winner of two hurdle races, two NH flat races and three chases from 2m to 3m on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Beaten 4l by Speed Davis when second of 9 at 10-3 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Bangor-on-Dee over 2m 7f (good) last month.
117 Expert View: Weakened late on, struggled comfortably held in a handicap hurdle at Southwell last time; effective 2 1/2m; progressive before reappearance.
Form Snapshot: Successful in two hurdle races at 2m and 2m 5f on good ground. Well beaten at 14-1 behind Stone's Throw when fifth of 7 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Southwell over 3m (good to soft) in December last year.
120 Expert View: Scored by a nose off a 5lb lower mark at Carlisle penultimate start; probably did a bit too much too soon but ran to form fourth beaten 2l off 107 last time, same mark here; effective 2m1f-2m4f, acts on good; progressing over hurdles.
Form Snapshot: A winner of a hurdle race at 2m 3f on good to soft ground. Finished 1 3/4l behind Moyganny Phil when fourth of 7 at 7-4jt-fav on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Carlisle over 2m 3f (good to soft) last month.
117 Expert View: Pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Newcastle latest; usually held up; effective 2-2 1/2m, suited by sound surface; fair mark on Irish form, must bounce back for new yard.
Form Snapshot: A winner of a hurdle race at 2m 6f on good ground. Pulled up 3 out when 100-1 at Newcastle over 2m 6f (good to soft) in a hurdle race won by Jehol De Thaix in March on his latest outing.
Escapologist is the sole C&D winner in the line-up, having won on his only visit in March, but he has to race off 5lb more here which makes life more difficult. Huffin An A Puffin drops in class for his second start since wind surgery. With cheekpieces added, he could surprise a few, but the nod goes to COUMEENOOLE. A winner last time out at Bangor, he seemed to appreciate the step back up to this trip and an added 9lb may not be enough to stop him doubling up.
Point winner COUMEENOOLE gained a first victory under rules in decisive fashion last time and should be able to defy a 9lb rise here. The form of that race has been franked and he remains unexposed over staying trips. Huffin An A Puffin is easily forgiven his last couple of runs and is better judged on his previous pair of victories which included defeating a future Grade 1 winner. Stepping up to staying distances for the first time he looks the chief threat ahead of consistent C&D winner Escapologist.
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 9 | Letterston Lady | 7 | 11 1 | 112 | 15441-3 | 23 days | M Bowen (310 miles) | Sean Bowen | 15/ 8 | 5:57.64 | |
| 2024 | Good | 9 | Lihyan | 6 | 11 3 | 114 | 551224 | 21 days | R Menzies (122 miles) | William Maggs | 10/ 1 | 5:50.80 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 9 | Giovanni Change | 8 | 11 13 | 124 | 179P2-1 | 18 days | M Walford (71 miles) | Tom Midgley | 5/ 1 | 5:57.30 |
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4, DNF | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 | 3 |
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 2m 7f 16y | 5:33.10 |
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