13:40 Wetherby

Saturday 14 January 2017

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:2515:55

wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 4m 0.56s

El Massivo¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: H Bethell| OR: 110

11/4

Back on the same mark as his most recent success, which came over course and distance last spring. Showed he retains that sort of ability back here on Boxing Day and should have no concerns over the ground.

Form: 641-672

Middlebrow^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 108

7/4

Ballinrobe bumper winner when trained in Ireland. Has run with credit in two out of three starts in maiden company since joining current yard. Not easy to assess on his introduction to handicapping, but has more going for him than several others.

Form: 135332

Catching Shadows⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Lucy Alexander| T: J Ewart| OR: 108

6/1

Dual bumper winner who went well enough at Carlisle in October, before dropping back to this trip here last time out. Interesting that he stays at this distance for his handicap debut, though we may see more from him over further.

Form: 11/34-35

Green Zone³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 101

14/1

Stays further than this and seems to go on any ground. Back on the sme mark as his most recent Perth success, while the jockey has also partnered him to victory at that venue. Claims if things don't happen too quickly for him.

Form: F63P58

Dragon De La Tour³³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ian Popham| T: D Skelton| OR: 98

10/1

Failed to set the world alight in a bumper and three novices' hurdles to date. Has been off the track for 11 months, though his trainer has plenty of winners on the back of an absence and also at this track. Unlikely to have remained with the yard if he is not capable of being significantly better than this first handicap mark and no surprise if he goes very well.

Form: 69/4342-

It's A Long Story¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Butterworth| OR: 97

16/1

Unable to get close to winning in points, bumpers and novices' hurdles, so hard to recommend on his handicap bow.

Form: 340667

Rocky Two^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 90

8/1

Last win was on the Flat in 2014 and 0-14 over hurdles thus far. Now on a career-low mark in this sphere and with a claimer up he is not entirely ruled out, though clearly not one to place excessive faith in.

Form: 42F566

Non-Runners

Back To Balloo²⁷

Weight: 11-3| Age: 11

T: P Winks J: Ryan Winks

Murray Mount¹⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: Henry Oliver J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Middlebrow (7/4), El Massivo (11/4), Murray Mount (5/1), Catching Shadows (6/1), Rocky Two (8/1), Dragon De La Tour (10/1), Green Zone (14/1), Back To Balloo (14/1), It's A Long Story (16/1)

A moderate contest that should not take much winning and with Dan Skelton's excellent record here, plus a very workable mark it is hoped that Dragon De La Tour can prove up to the task. Next best may be El Massivo, who is back on a winning mark but has topweight to contend with. Murray Mount has had plenty of chances but with Brian Hughes up and first-time headgear, he can go close. 1. Dragon De La Tour 2. Murray Mount 3. El Massivo