'He could have a class edge' - Paul Kealy examines Friday's feature

Racing UK Handicap Hurdle | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV

Kincardine heads the market for this 3m handicap, and given he is the youngest horse in the race it is easy to argue he has the most improvement in him.

However, in terms of handicapping, it is also easy to argue he needs to find a fair bit to play a hand. Kincardine won a dreadfully weak maiden hurdle at Newbury last February before being put in his place by Pull Again Green back at the track in the spring.

The winner is now rated 134, so you could argue Kincardine has plenty of potential off a mark of 118, but there are others with better form as things stand, and at least a couple who are very well handicapped on old form.

In a seriously competitive race, those with good marks based on past efforts include Hurricane Harvey, who finally deigned to put his head in front at Uttoxeter last time and did so readily, and Jatiluwih, who has to shoulder 12st 2lb but could have a class edge on the field in conditions he'll like.

Jatiluwih returned to hurdles for the first time since March 2020 when fourth to Captain Morgs at Cheltenham last time, and it's fair to say that race was considerably better than this one.

What they say

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Jatiluwih
We're sticking to hurdles with him for now and he ran well on his comeback at Cheltenham last month. Hopefully he has come on for that and should have a decent each-way chance.

Claire Harris, trainer of Getalead
Ideally we could do with the ground drying out, but he'll try his heart out as he usually does and could well get some prize-money.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Kincardine
He's always shown ability, but didn't start as well as I hoped last term, although he did win at Newbury in February. He has schooled over fences but we've decided to start him back over hurdles first. The trip and ground should be fine for him.

Reporting by David Milnes

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