15:45 Wetherby

Saturday 4 November 2017

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 5m 21.80s

Zeroeshadesofgrey²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 132| C| D

8/1

Slightly better over hurdles than fences, he returns from a break with a stiff task off top weight. A thorough stayer, he is likely to find this trip too sharp.

Form: 12723P-

Querry Horse¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 126

9/1

Last victory came in a Doncaster novice chase in January after which he seemed to lose his way over the bigger obstacles. Well held over hurdles since, he returns from a break with something to prove.

Form: 241UP-6

Boruma⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlotte Jones⁽¹⁰⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 125| D

33/1

Has run at Cartmel on his last five starts, winning twice. Has climbed the weights and looks to have plenty to do off his current mark.

Form: 7-411F6

Canton Prince³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 125| D

9/1

In good form in August/September, last year, when he won a bumper and two novice hurdles. Has been unable to add to that tally, but returned from a break last time to finish a good second to an in-form rival. Off the same mark, he has prospects.

Form: 11P4P-2

Carnspindle¹⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 125

13/2

Progressive last season, winning twice and signing off with a good second in a quite valuable handicap hurdle at Cheltenham. Has gone up 4lb since that run, but may well be capable of further improvement after her break.

Form: 162112-

Raven's Tower²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

6/1

Returned from six months off to finish a good second in a handicap at Towcester last month. Has gone up 2lb, but should remain competitive.

Form: 3737P-2

Ice Cool Champs²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122| BF| D

3/1

Promise in a bumper before winning a maiden hurdle at the first attempt and running respectably on his only other outing. First time in a handicap and could be well weighted for leading connections.

Form: 213-

Diamond Fort²⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121

5/1

Signed off last season with a clear-cut win in a handicap at Chepstow. Has gone up 7lb, but has plenty of scope for improvement and looks a player for yard enjoying a good spell.

Form: 648331-

Minstrel Royal^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 117

50/1

Won a Warwick handicap hurdle for Nicky Henderson in April, but second of two runs for current stable saw him beaten over 100L at this track. Questions to answer for now, but not badly treated.

Form: 6P1-037

General Mahler⁵²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 117| D

16/1

Lightly raced, but has his share of ability as he showed when winning a handicap hurdle at Sedgefield in March, last year. Things have not gone right for him since and he has an absence to overcome, but it would be dangerous to rule him out.

Form: 321F/P4-

Reverant Cust^t²²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: P Atkinson| OR: 114

16/1

Held his own in novice and handicap company last term and this handicap mark is manageable. Fitness after a break has to be taken on trust.

Form: 523133-

Non-Runners

Zig Zag⁴¹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 4

T: P A Kirby J: A Nicol

Boyhood²²⁴

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: T R George J: Adrian Heskin

Little Bruce²⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: P A Kirby J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Ice Cool Champs (3/1), Diamond Fort (5/1), Raven's Tower (6/1), Carnspindle (13/2), Zeroeshadesofgrey (8/1), Zig Zag (8/1), Canton Prince (9/1), Querry Horse (9/1), Boyhood (14/1), Little Bruce (14/1), Reverant Cust (16/1), General Mahler (16/1), Boruma (33/1), Minstrel Royal (50/1)

Several of these appeal in a competitive finale, but the two most unexposed contenders are Diamond Fort and ICE COOL CHAMPS. Both may well be ahead of the handicapper and the selection particularly so given he has so few miles on the clock. General Mahler may be fragile, but has talent, while the best of those at the higher end of the weights could be Carnspindle who may resume her progress this season.