15:55 Hereford

Wednesday 4 January 2017

All12:5513:2513:5514:2514:5515:2515:55

Weatherbys Global Stallions App Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 10.4s

Matchaway^b1²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 121

6/1

Gave it a fair shot here last month but held close home as he finished fourth of nine over this trip and gets blinkers added now.

Form: 2/1P415-

Bobble Emerald^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 120

9/1

Couple of wins this term already and no shame in Cheltenham third most recently, goes near the top of the shortlist for this contest.

Form: 1-P4P11

Peruvien Bleu⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 120

5/1

Didn't do his chances when missing the start last time out at Uttoxeter, racing detached as a result. Had been well supported there on the back of Towcester win and solid effort at Leicester.

Form: 124031-

Conteur d'Histoire^t⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119

25/1

Decent effort penultimate start at Wetherby and trainer should mean he gets respect now sent handicapping.

Form: 260P24-

Keel Haul³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 117

9/2

Better over fences but his mark over the smaller obstacles entitles a deal of respect for a race like this one.

Form: 3-52654

Key To The West^t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Unknown| T: M Sheppard| OR: 117

28/1

Held by others in this field on old form and cut no ice returning from a long break at Ffos Las a month ago.

Form: P/2F3F-5

Orchard Park²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 115

10/1

Just caught in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in November and must hold strong claims here on first handicap start.

Form: 41-322

Aengus⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 115

25/1

Went very close in a Naas handicap for Noel Meade in March, hasn't shown similar form for new yard in two starts but would be a threat if coming back to himself.

Form: 806113

Stage One^t⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: D Skelton| OR: 113

13/2

Has had some chances in novice events without landing a win, sure to be give opening handicap a big effort here for respected trainer.

Form: 51/3-3

Dragon Khan⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁷⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 109

33/1

Plenty experience over timber in Ireland with a win under his belt. First start for new yard after a couple of months off and one to respect.

Form: 009963-

Sword of The Lord^v³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: William Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 107

20/1

Hasn't been running well over fences recently and taken on trust that switch to hurdles will revive his fortunes.

Form: R241P6

Rafafie²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 106

9/1

First start since being pulled up at Stratford in May, and has plenty to do now on return.

Form: 244-P75

Jolly Roger²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: R T Dunne| T: D Burchell| OR: 104

20/1

Getting on in years now and hasn't produced his best stuff for some time. Returns now for new yard having been off since April.

Form: 6P0/93U-

Distant High²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Benjamin Poste⁽³⁾| T: R J Price| OR: 98

66/1

Hasn't threatened in three starts over timber to date and likely to find this tough enough on handicap bow.

Form: 78

Global Thrill^b³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Unknown| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 98

18/1

Beat only one home at Taunton just before Christmas, no signs of form in recent past but does continue to get relief from the handicapper.

Form: 0475-75

Non-Runners

Kublai¹⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: Alexandra Dunn J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Keel Haul (9/2), Peruvien Bleu (5/1), Matchaway (6/1), Stage One (13/2), Rafafie (9/1), Bobble Emerald (9/1), Orchard Park (10/1), Global Thrill (18/1), Sword of The Lord (20/1), Jolly Roger (20/1), Aengus (25/1), Conteur d'Histoire (25/1), Key To The West (28/1), Dragon Khan (33/1), Kublai (50/1), Distant High (66/1)

BOBBLE EMERALD scored a nice double in this company to start his season and his subsequent effort at Cheltenham was perfectly acceptable. He can regain the winning thread now. Stage One is a big danger on his handicap bow for a yard full of promise in this sphere. Orchard Park would likely prove hard to cut back if allowed a soft lead on his handicapping bow and Matchaway is another in with a shout. 1. Bobble Emerald 2. Orchard Park 3. Stage One