15:10 Wincanton

Thursday 2 February 2017

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:45

Fortress Home Insurance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 18.4s

Tornado In Milan³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: C J Maher⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 134

16/1

Consistent in this grade, hence being at the head of the weights. Trip and likely conditions look ideal for him and a 10lb claim by his rider gives him plenty of appeal here as he is very likely to run his race.

Form: 212415-

River Frost²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 133

11/4

Two wins from three starts since joining current yard from France. 4lb higher than most recent Kempton success (2m, good to soft), but plenty more scope for improvement. Handled deep ground across the channel.

Form: 31

Zulu Oscar^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Matt Griffiths| T: George Baker| OR: 132

40/1

Good wins-to-runs ratio who, at his best, would give all of these plenty to think about. Trip looks ideal for him, though of most concern is his ability to perform on the likely ground.

Form: 17P71-7

Sirop De Menthe²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 132

12/1

Stays at least as far as this and acts well with plenty of cut in the ground, though handicapper looks to just about have his measure at present.

Form: 12248-1

Space Oddity^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 129

9/2

Has risen 12lb for back-to-back wins at Exeter and Taunton last month. Debatable whether he would have done so last time, when last-flight faller looked to have taken his measure, so despite yard's great form, he is likely to need to improve again to win from this mark.

Form: 4411P2-

Masters Hill^p²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 128

16/1

All three wins have been at around three miles, the last almost two years ago from 9lb higher than today's pitch. Lengthy losing run hasn't looked likely to end soon given recent efforts.

Form: P3328-P

Copain De Classe³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 121

3/1

Former French bumper winner who scored for current yard at Chepstow last time (2m, good to soft) and has the sort of mark that his trainer will be confident of getting plenty of improvement from. One of the more likely contenders.

Form: 1F-31P1

Clondaw Shane^t1³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 119

7/1

Perhaps a shade disappointing last time over C&D, but still plenty of time on his side and receives weight from all but one opponent, so a better effort entirely possible.

Form: 22

McKenzie's Friend¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 117

7/1

Has suffered somewhat for winning his first two novices' hurdles. Beaten a street in his last two runs, the handicapper has very much given him a shout here if he is on better terms with himself, while pedigree suggests that he will handle the forecast ground.

Form: P2/6035-

Non-Runners

Willow's Saviour²⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 10

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

River Frost (11/4), Copain De Classe (3/1), Space Oddity (9/2), McKenzie's Friend (7/1), Clondaw Shane (7/1), Sirop De Menthe (12/1), Tornado In Milan (16/1), Masters Hill (16/1), Willow's Saviour (25/1), Zulu Oscar (40/1)

Another interesting contest where several have claims and RIVER FROST is taken to come home in front. Alan King's charge is very much going the right way and this step up in trip is a positive as he tries to defy a 4lb rise. Tornado In Milan is very consistent and may take advantage if the selection does not prove up to the task, while others with claims are Copain De Clase, Clondaw Shine and McKenzie's Friend. 1. River Frost 2. Tornado In Milan 3. Copain De Classe