14:50 Ffos Las

Friday 24 November 2017

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:00

Tenovus Closer To Home Appeal Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 54.9s

Cobolobo²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127

5/1

Improved again when stepped up in trip to 2m7½f with a win at Uttoxeter last time after a nine-month break. Carries a 6lb penalty for that, but front pair were 4½L clear, so looks sure to be competitive again. Has won on heavy ground.

Form: 75412-1

Never Equalled^p²⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 126| C

12/1

Dual winner here on soft/heavy ground, the latter over 2m4f when he was last seen in March. Up 4lb for that and not ruled out, though he has tended to need a run after a break, so has that stat to overcome if he is to pick up where he left off.

Form: 324431-

Sykes³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 126

10/1

Stays up to 3m½f and acts on testing ground. Outperformed his 25-1 SP when beaten just over 2L at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month on his stable debut. On the same mark today and no reason why he can't be in the shake-up.

Form: 16F45-4

Driftwood Haze¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 125| CD

7/1

Scored twice over C&D (one on soft) in the spring of 2016, the latter from today's mark. Beaten 17½L over 3m here last time, but may have needed it after a break. Capable of another good performance now dropped to a trip over which he does well.

Form: 252-084

On The Road²⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123| D

5/1

Loves to get his toe in and finished last season in cracking form over fences, having completed a hat-trick. Last hurdle win was about a year ago over a similar trip and from 23lb lower, but has improved since. Has won fresh, so can go well.

Form: 122111-

Midnight Silver^t²¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 120| CD

5/1

10lb higher than when scoring over C&D (heavy) last year and 6lb higher than when winning here over 2m in February. Has won when fresh, so a break before this is not an issue, though her ability to handle this mark is more of a concern.

Form: 13U145-

Jennys Day²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 120

9/2

Won a Listowel maiden hurdle on heavy on her last start in Ireland and has been runner-up three times in novices'/handicaps since arriving in Britain. Raised 5lb for the latest of those on his reappearance at Wincanton, but can remain competitive.

Form: 22PP0-2

Rafafie¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 106| C

7/2

Scored here over 2m on soft ground in 2014 when 10lb lower. More recently, he won from 6lb lower at Chepstow (2m3½f, soft) in March. Was entitled to need his reappearance and could do better here. If so, he should be in the mix.

Form: P7521-5

Forecasts

Rafafie (7/2), Jennys Day (9/2), On The Road (5/1), Midnight Silver (5/1), Cobolobo (5/1), Driftwood Haze (7/1), Sykes (10/1), Never Equalled (12/1)

Cobolobo remains of interest after winning last time and returning under a penalty. He should give a very good account, though preference is for ON THE ROAD, who enjoyed a superb season last time and still has plenty going for him on this return to hurdles, including his ability to go well fresh. Sykes and Jennys Day are others with claims from their current mark, while Never Equalled could be in the shake-up, though his record when fresh is not red hot.