14:10 Hereford

Tuesday 7 February 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:50

188bet.co.uk Conditional Jockeys' Training Handicap Hurdle (Part Of The Racing Excellence Initiative)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 7m 9.27s

Cotswold Road^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁸⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 110

4/1

Only 6 runs to date for this 7-y-o, so may yet improve ; some signs of ability in novice hurdles in the winter of 2015 but no impression in two handicaps, tongue tied on both occasions. In good hands but a risky proposition at present, with this run after an 11 month absence probably needed to blow the cobwebs away.

Form: 8/33408-

More Than Luck^p1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 108

12/1

Little to shout about in three runs in novice hurdles so far, but not totally disgraced at Towcester in December, form that's working out quite well (second and fourth winners since). That form needs improving on here, but this step up in trip on handicap debut may suit, and needs a market check.

Form: P5774P-

Midnight Request¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Robert Hawker| T: N J Hawke| OR: 102

7/1

Did win back-to-back-chases in 2015 but not so good since, best effort coming at Towcester in December when not beaten far by the improving Yanmare. Efforts either side of that leave plenty to be desired however, and this switch back to hurdles looks something of a confidence booster. Lower mark over hurdles but not even that enough to tempt a bet.

Form: 11P/47-3

Late Shipment^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jordan Williams| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 97

9/4

Had been threatening to win a race for a while before victory finally came over this C&D in January, where he could be called the winner some way out. Not quite as good at Exeter next time, where he ran a bit below par but return to winning venue may spark him back into the winning mode. Heavy ground should pose no issue and has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 213112-

Kapricorne²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁶⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 92

8/1

Possibly better suited by hurdles than fences, so the switch back to the smaller obstacles here can be taken in a positive light. Huntingdon second to Kapgarde King (was made favourite) easily the best effort of three this winter, but even that needs improving on to win here. Heavy ground another imponderable, and simply too much to take on trust.

Form: 26344B

It's Oscar^b,t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: James Nixon⁽³⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 90

16/1

Dreadfully inconsistent but capable of springing the odd surprise (last two wins have come at 20-1 and 10-1) and thrashed a similar quality field to today's at Southwell last summer. Only 5lb higher than that win and gets a change of headgear (which has worked in the past) and a tongue tie today. Probably win or nothing, and although the latter far more likely, can't be totally dismissed.

Form: 5P7423-

Filatore^b¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr Lewis Gordon⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 89

11/2

Won a Ffos Las seller last April and although he stays well enough and handles most ground, recent efforts suggest a horse that's regressing and despite falling mark, makes little appeal.

Form: 1-24076

Bus Named Desire^p,t⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 85

33/1

Reverts to hurdles after some dreadful efforts lately, with three non-completions in his last three starts. Probably wants better ground regardless and appears to have little chance.

Form: 12P-PPP

L Frank Baum^b²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: M Hamill| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 83

11/1

Just the one win in 19 starts over hurdles and modest form lately, with the step up to three miles on his last two starts not pulling out any improvement. Gets another change of headgear here but still looks unlikely to play a part in the finish.

Form: 246268-

Earcomesthedream^b³⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 10-0| J: David Prichard| T: P A Pritchard| OR: 78

33/1

Age (14) an obvious issue and glory days well and truly behind him. Looks a hard ride these days and hasn't got anywhere near the places on any of his last eight starts, pulling up on most recent effort at Uttoxeter (never went with any enthusiasm).

Form: 677-69P

Non-Runners

Wood Pigeon³⁷

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: Mrs A L M King J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Late Shipment (9/4), Cotswold Road (4/1), Filatore (11/2), Midnight Request (7/1), Wood Pigeon (7/1), Kapricorne (8/1), L Frank Baum (11/1), More Than Luck (12/1), It's Oscar (16/1), Earcomesthedream (33/1), Bus Named Desire (33/1)

Not a particularly strong event, and it may pay to give LATE SHIPMENT another chance. He could not have won any easier when winning here in January and possibly wasn't made best use of at Exeter next time. With no issues with trip, track or ground, he may bounce back today. More Than Luck needs to improve but the addition of the cheekpieces and going handicapping today may well pull out a bit more, and Wood Pigeon, who has shown some ability in two starts for Anabel Murphy, may grab third. 1. Late Shipment 2. More Than Luck 3. Wood Pigeon