14:40 Wetherby
Friday 6 January 2017
All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4015:1015:40
Follow racing_uk On Twitter Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus  |  Class 5  |  3m 45y  |  Good to Soft  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:49Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 6m 45.15s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Runner-up in Catterick novice hunter chase last time, but that was some 22 months ago and is more than likely to be in need of the outing after such a long time on the sidelines.
Ran well on all three starts at this track last term including when scoring over this trip, but was well beaten when pulled up here in November on his seasonal return. Drops in grade though, so could leave that form behind today.
Only victory came at this track over hurdles a few seasons ago and has looked regressive in two starts so far this season following a 17 month absence. Hard to recommend.
Turns out again quickly under a 7lb penalty having scored at Market Rasen on Boxing Day before hacking up in a modest affair at Fakenham on New Year's Day. Sure to be on the premises again if those two recent efforts haven't left their mark.
Veteran who has struggled for form so far this campaign, but the switch back to fences may rekindle some of his enthusiasm. Plenty of improvement needed though.
Pulled up more times than he's finished in recent years but did show signs of a return to form when third at Doncaster last time out. Very well handicapped on the best of his old form so no forlorn hope in this company.
10-race maiden under rules, but has hinted there may be a little race in him with a couple of half decent efforts this season. Needs to brush up his jumping but may have place prospects with a decent jockey in the saddle.
Not too much encouragement so far this term but is another who is potentially well handicapped if recovering a little of his old form. The capable local trainer may yet be able to find the key to this veteran before the season is out.
In and out performer who remains a maiden at the age of eight. Did appear to show a little improvement last time though on his first start for trainer so any market interest would be encouraging.
Winner at Sedgefidled last season but has been woefully out of from since and looks up against it once again this afternoon.
Very one paced gelding who continues to struggle even in modest company. Not disgraced on his two most recent starts but other look more appealing.
Races from 4lb out of the handicap but did run very wel last time out when going close at this track over hurdles, wearing the first-time visor. Not guaranteed to reproduce that effort back over fences but, in a moderate contest, has more going for him than many of his rivals.
Forecasts
Amber Gambler (8/11), Joseph Mercer (5/1), Best Served Cold (9/1), Benefit In Kind (9/1), Major Ridge (14/1), Fire (20/1), Longueville Flier (25/1), Frank The Slink (25/1), Urban Gale (33/1), Notonebuttwo (33/1), Foot The Bill (40/1), Ballythomas (50/1)
Assuming that AMBER GAMBLER has recovered from his exertions over the holiday period, he may prove hard to stop in his bid for a quick hat-trick and is taken to score again. Most of his rivals appear generally out of form so it would not surprise to see Urban Gale challenging for a place along with Longueville Flier, who is open to some improvement. It will be interetsing to see if Joseph Mercer can build on an improved effort over hurdles last time out.
1. Amber Gambler
2. Urban Gale
3. Longueville Flier
Prize Money
1st: £3,120.002nd: £968.003rd: £484.004th: £242.00
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