14:40 Kempton

Saturday 18 March 2017

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Better Odds With Matchbook Silver Plate Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 4m 58.20s

Sleep Easy^p¹⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130

16/1

Three-time Flat winner for Hughie Morrison who kicked off with a win over hurdles for this yard at Stratford (soft) a year ago. Steady improvement in handicaps since, culminating in a smooth at win at Wincanton (soft). More to do now from 8lb higher mark.

Form: 1/33616-

Duke Street³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 135

12/1

Dual hurdle winner (both good ground) who ran really well to twice finish a gallant runner-up at Kempton and over C&D in November off slightly lower marks. Reappeared to gain a sixth career Flat win at Chelmsford last month so likely to be spot-on for this.

Form: 022403

Mister Fizz^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: T Dowling⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss I Pickard| OR: 135

100/1

Dual-purpose performer who has been well beaten in almost all recent starts both on the Flat and over jumps. Back down to 5lb below last winning mark at least but hard to enthuse over after another lacklustre display at Ascot last month.

Form: 7/4150-0

Keep In Line⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 134

20/1

Won a maiden and novice on his first two hurdles starts at Huntingdon and Bangor. Stepped up in class after that and beaten the last three times in Grade 2 events with a step up in trip failing to elicit improvement last time. More needed.

Form: 11439

Brio Conti⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134

8/1

Stratford bumper winner in May who flattered to deceive initially over hurdles before really getting his act together to score in emphatic fashion over 2m3f (good) at Doncaster last time. Opening handicap mark of 134 looks workable and he is a leading player.

Form: 3-1F

Solomn Grundy⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: S Corby⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 134

14/1

Has improved for a switch of yards, shaping well at Cheltenham on his return before winning a good handicap over 3m (soft) at Newbury in November. Touched off by Agincourt Reef at Wetherby on Boxing Day and should remain competitive despite 3lb rise.

Form: 44F1-21

Charlemar³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: H Whittington| OR: 133

33/1

Won first two hurdles starts and then far from disgraced when finishing fifth behind Finian's Oscar in Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown (2m, soft). Slightly disappointing when only fourth at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) last time but interesting over a longer trip on handicap bow.

Form: 2111

Dream Berry^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Savage⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133

12/1

Winner in France who kicked off for this yard with a narrow hurdles victory at Market Rasen before a dismal chasing debut on his return. Better since reverting to hurdles, winning well off a 6lb lower mark at Market Rasen (2m, soft) last time. Respected.

Form: 1-P6132

Crimson Ark^h²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 133

25/1

Twice a winner from his first three hurdles starts (both good ground) but the handicapper quickly took note and he has found it tough going the last twice, most recently behind Rover Frost over this C&D. Looks vulnerable off present mark.

Form: 4148-12

Divine Spear²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

13/2

Three wins on his CV and has shaped encouragingly in strong handicaps at Cheltenham and Ascot (both soft) coming into this race, most recently when a runner-up behind Air Horse One. Longer trip and rising mark to contend with, but trainer has won the last two runnings. Obvious claims.

Form: 121308-

Golden Spear⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Donagh Meyler⁽³⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 131

11/2

Dual-purpose performer who represents an ultra-shrewd Irish yard and warmed up for this by finishing a fine third in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown (2m, good) last time. One to be interested in as he steps up in trip.

Form: 61/43P5

Cottersrock^p1⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Shoemark| T: M Keighley| OR: 131

28/1

Consistent over hurdles since joining this yard, winning over C&D (6lb lower mark) 11 months ago. Has won over fences since but most recent efforts in that sphere have been less encouraging, including in blinkers latest. Cheekpieces now reached for as he reverts to hurdles.

Form: 21-U143

El Terremoto⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 131

16/1

French import who looked firmly on the upgrade when winning at Stratford (2m6f, good) and Haydock (2m3f, heavy) in the autumn. Found a Grade 3 event over a longer trip on heavy ground too much at Sandown last time but more in favour now.

Form: 342-511

Sumkindofking⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 130

9/1

Has won a point-to-point, a bumper and a maiden (2m, good to soft at Southwell) but he struggled to land a blow when upped in class in two novice hurdles at Cheltenham either side of Christmas. Something to prove on handicap bow but mark looks workable.

Form: 31-117

Top Tug²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 130

10/1

Useful performer on the Flat over middle distances and justified odds-on favouritism at Kempton on hurdling debut in November. Well held in two novice events since before coming up short when favourite for a handicap at Taunton last time. More needed.

Form: 1

Casper King³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129

20/1

Was becoming expensive to follow prior to finally delivering in a novices' event at Exeter (2m1f, soft) in January and duly followed in a similar contest at Fontwell. Now that penny has clearly dropped, he has to be considered for his handicap bow.

Form: 2-26211

Bandsman⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

10/1

Placed in four bumpers and on his hurdling debut over 2m (good) on this course before hacking up at Market Rasen over 2m2f (good to soft). Was all out to follow up over a shorter trip next time but interesting contender over a longer trip on handicap bow.

Form: 23-2221

Nathans Pride²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 128

25/1

Impressive winner of a good quality handicap hurdle at Aintree in May - his fifth win from his first 10 starts over hurdles. Well-held behind River Frost over C&D (good) on his return from a break last month but entitled to strip fitter now.

Form: 946/170-

Shwaiman²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Banks| OR: 125

66/1

Useful staying handicapper on the Flat for James Fanshawe in his younger days and scored over hurdles at Huntingdon in May 2015 but has had problems since and struggled on his return from a long absence over C&D last month.

Form: 52/21-8

Non-Runners

Byron Flyer³¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Golden Spear (11/2), Divine Spear (13/2), Brio Conti (8/1), Sumkindofking (9/1), Top Tug (10/1), Bandsman (10/1), Dream Berry (12/1), Duke Street (12/1), Solomn Grundy (14/1), Sleep Easy (16/1), El Terremoto (16/1), Byron Flyer (16/1), Casper King (20/1), Keep In Line (20/1), Nathans Pride (25/1), Crimson Ark (25/1), Cottersrock (28/1), Charlemar (33/1), Shwaiman (66/1), Mister Fizz (100/1)

A good turnout for this valuable event and a credible case could be made a number of runners on various form-lines. Nicky Henderson has won the last two runnings - sending out subsequent Cheltenham hero Might Bite a year ago - and, though DIVINE SPEAR may not be quite in the same league, he looks a likely type for this on the evidence of two fined placed effort over shorter trips in good company. Irish raider Golden Spear is another obvious one for the short-list, whilst handicap debutants Brio Conti, Charlemar and Bandsman also have plenty going for them..