14:25 Market Rasen

Thursday 7 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30

Read Noel Fehily At 188Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 5m 35.10s

Stick To The Plan^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122

5/1

Progressive sort who won a Perth handicap in good style back in April and was all set to follow-up that win after a break when the rider lost balance and was unseated on the run-in. Shaped very well last time out against seasoned handicappers and looks well handicapped here.

Form: 5641-U5

Lettheriverrundry^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell| OR: 117| C

11/2

His chasing career looks to have been aborted and he shaped much better back over hurdles last time out at Fontwell travelling well and only losing out close home. A previous course winner he should be able to make an impression off this mark given his previous form.

Form: PP-02P2

Aviator⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 117| CD

12/1

His two most recent hurdles runs have left plenty to be desired although he has been very lightly raced in recent years. Given a spin on the AW (twice a winner on the Flat) prior to his most recent hurdles start he was still well below form and is best watched in this.

Form: 41240/6

Huntsman Son³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 115

6/1

Interesting sort who won both his completed starts in Irish point-to-points and has shaped well on his two hurdles starts so far in novice company. There has been a fair gap between those runs and that told last time out but has to be looked at on handicap debut.

Form: 1P/13-2

Kiwayu⁴³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 115

10/1

Quite highly-rated in his pomp on the Flat he looks to be making a better fist of his second go over hurdles running three (one win) taking races for this yard. His win at Uttoxeter confirmed that he has plenty of ability and although he wasn't quite as good last time he's still respected on handicap debut.

Form: 6PP/213-

Christmas In April^h²⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 114| C

11/4

Another one who makes his handicap debut having won a bumper on debut here in May 2016. His hurdles progression has only been gradual and he may still have some work to do but looks the type who will progress in handicaps and comes from a top yard.

Form: 1435-

Towering^b¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: C R Dore| OR: 108| D

8/1

Hasn't been with the stable long and they do have a good reputation for rejuvenating difficult types such as this one. Clearly in a good spell at the moment he was beaten off this mark last time and is now 11lb above his last winning mark in a tougher race than of late.

Form: 267124

Fair To Middling^p,t⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 108

5/1

Reasonable handicap hurdler who has failed to cut it over fences and now reverts to the smaller obstacles. This trip looks a little on the sharp side though and he remains 9lb above his last winning mark over hurdles and faces some progressive types here.

Form: 2-332FU

Forecasts

Christmas In April (11/4), Stick To The Plan (5/1), Fair To Middling (5/1), Lettheriverrundry (11/2), Huntsman Son (6/1), Towering (8/1), Kiwayu (10/1), Aviator (12/1)

This has plenty of strength in depth for a 0-120 and it could turn out to be a competitive contest with Stick To The Plan eased in grade from last time and looking to gain compensation for his unlucky Southwell defeat. He has to give weight away all round though and HUNTSMAN SON on his handicap debut looks to have further progression in him based on his two hurdles runs so far. Kiwayu is another handicap first-timer who has to be respected on his hurdles and Flat form while both Lettheriverrundry and Christmas In April are also capable of making their mark in this fascinating little contest.