'We're trying to beat the handicapper' - key quotes for the Hereford feature

Tuesday: 3.30 Hereford
Cazoo Handicap Hurdle | 3m1½f | 4yo+ | SKY

Prominent racers took this contest in 2017, 2020 and 2022, and that sort of pattern would be typical of the track at Hereford, where tight and frequent turns increase the penalty on making up ground from off the pace. This effect is turned up even further in winter ground as both folklore and statistics say that it is more difficult to come from behind when the going is soft or heavy.

That would sound a note of caution over likely favourite Loup De Maulde, who has been held up when showing improved form on his last two starts. Perhaps tellingly, both of those runs came on less testing ground. Jockey Toby Wynne may have to move forward earlier this time.

Likely leaders include Ratfacemcdougall, who is three from four at the track, and early second-favourite Chloe's Court. The latter has worked her way back to form this season and was well ahead of the rest when second to an unexposed improver over 2m7f at Lingfield last time.

Hereford is often associated with Venetia Williams, who trains just over ten miles away from the track. Since taking out a licence she has run 395 horses here, and 78 have won.

In this race Williams saddles Mountain Leopard, who ran poorly on his handicap debut last time but would otherwise be highly interesting as he was useful in bumpers — including on heavy ground. Shane Quinlan rides and Williams has evidently placed plenty of faith in him this season, with the pair combining for six wins from just 20 runners.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

David Jeffreys, trainer of Ratfacemcdougall
He's in good form and the handicapper has given him a chance. Although he went backwards at Southwell last time, Max [Kendrick, jockey] said he travelled with a good amount of zest. It's a much lower grade than he's been running in and we're hopeful of a good run.

Toby Lawes: trainer of AlkopopCredit: Edward Whitaker

Toby Lawes, trainer of Alkopop
I'm very happy with him and his first couple of runs of the season were rock-solid on ground which was quicker than he would've liked. It'll be real proper winter ground at Hereford and Caoilin [Quinn, jockey] takes off 5lb and has got on well with him before. He's pretty rock-solid and a good, consistent horse.

Matt Sheppard, trainer of Pottlerath
He's in excellent form. He doesn't look as well handicapped now but he loves Hereford and young Charlie Case, who claims 7lb, has ridden him three times before very well. He's a special little horse who we have fun with and we hope he might pick up some prize-money. He's a horse who always tries.

Robbie Llewellyn, trainer of Loup De Maulde
He's gone up 7lb for his last win and we're trying to beat the handicapper, but we've got Toby [Wynne, jockey] claiming 5lb this day, instead of when he could only claim 3lb last time and gave him a lovely ride. He's already got us in the winner's enclosure a few times and hopefully he can put us on the map a bit more, as we think we've found a race that gives him mathematically his best chance.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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