17:25 Wetherby

Wednesday 18 October 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:4516:2016:5517:25

Watch Racing UK Anywhere Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 3m 50.70s

Utility^t⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137| D

8/1

Improved to win a couple of handicaps at Worcester in the summer (2m, good), though he missed his last intended run with a vet's certificate. Up 13lb ahead of this hat-trick bid and clearly in need of improvement to complete it.

Form: 180-F11

Keep In Line²¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 134| D

9/2

Won a Bangor novices' hurdle this time last year and went on to be competitive in Grade 2 company over this trip. Was unable to continue that over further and now returns from a seven-month break. Won when fresh last season and remains of interest.

Form: 11439F-

Intense Tango^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: K R Burke| OR: 132| D

20/1

Has not won over hurdles since her Grade 2 Doncaster mares' success in early 2015. though has twice won over 1m6f on the Flat since. Probably has a squeak from this mark, though is better with some ease in the ground.

Form: 5256/40-

Seamour³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 131| CD

7/4

2-2 over hurdles when last seen three seasons ago, including one over C&D (soft). Acts on a sound surface and stays this trip on the Flat, so won't be found wanting for stamina. Stable among the winners and could give another very could account.

Form: 11/

Top Ville Ben^h³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P A Kirby| OR: 130| BF| D

14/1

Completed hat-trick under rules in his first three starts for Nicky Henderson last season, though quickly moved on once his form began to falter. Ran well enough on the Flat at Salisbury last time (1m6f, soft) and not ruled out on handicap debut.

Form: 1112F4-

Master Of Irony^p1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 129

17/2

Won a couple of novices' hurdles over further last season and was not disgraced on his handicap debut at Hexham (2m4f, good) in June, from today's mark. The addition of cheekpieces may help him find a bit more on the drop in trip. Interesting.

Form: 121-3

Cornborough⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 128| D

10/1

Won a couple of similar contests in the spring of 2016, the latter at Aintree from just 2lb lower. Goes well on a sound surface as he has underlined with two 1m2f Flat wins this year. Should be very competitive from this mark.

Form: 06324-4

Sakhee's City^p²¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 125| D

16/1

Sole win was in a Catterick maiden hurdle (1m7½f, good to soft) 19 months ago. Has run some good races in handicaps since. Beaten 1¾L from this mark at Haydock in December, though he could go well and still find one or two too good. Best with cut.

Form: 2F2734-

Tyrell²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 122| D

40/1

Has won two at up to 2m on the Flat and is 1-2 over hurdles, the win also being over this trip at Warwick (good to soft) in December. Handles a sound surface, though his mark looks stiff enough for his handicap debut in this discipline.

Form: 41-

Master Of Finance^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 121| BF| D

11/1

Goes on any ground, although is arguably better with some cut underfoot. 1-10 over hurdles, the win being in maiden company at Ayr almost a year ago. Has shown that he can compete from this mark, but needs a bit of improvement to win from it.

Form: 229-424

Minella Fiveo²⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 115| D

50/1

Has won three races from 2m-2m4f and on going from good to firm through to heavy, two of them for this yard last season. 7lb higher than the last of those at Uttoxeter in January and has a bit to prove after failing to complete twice since.

Form: 17/61FP-

Idder^p⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: James Moffatt| OR: 114| D

33/1

Good ground and around this trip are ideal for this dual hurdles winner. Was well beaten from this mark when last seen in July, but the ground and a longer trip were probably responsible and he is not without appeal again today.

Form: 1423-16

Non-Runners

Ballyalton⁵⁵⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: Ian Williams J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Seamour (7/4), Keep In Line (9/2), Ballyalton (7/1), Utility (8/1), Master Of Irony (17/2), Cornborough (10/1), Master Of Finance (11/1), Top Ville Ben (14/1), Sakhee's City (16/1), Intense Tango (20/1), Idder (33/1), Tyrell (40/1), Minella Fiveo (50/1)

Another interesting contest to conclude the card. Last year's Listed Close Brothers Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival, BALLYALTON is the class act in the field and after such a lengthy absence it is unlikely that there will be any chances taken on his fitness. Although he may improve for the run, he will probably be straight enough to do himself justice and he hails from a yard in good form. Utility is in need of significant improvement in his hat-trick bid, while another who does the same in truncated fashion is Seamour, who looks likely to be a danger. Cornborough, Idder, Keep In Line and Master Of Irony are others who could go well in what should be a decent race.