12:45 Wetherby

Saturday 9 December 2017

All11:4512:1512:4513:2013:5514:2515:00

totequadpot Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:49 | Winning time: 6m 14.30s

Sandhurst Lad¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: W Greatrex| OR: 110

12/1

Stepped up on his novices' form when scoring on his reappearance/handicap debut at Plumpton (2m4½, good to soft) last month, beating two last-time runners-up in the process. Just 2lb higher here and could bridge that gap now stepped up in trip.

Form: 50353-1

Pop Rockstar^t³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110

2/1

Got up in the dying strides to break his duck in first-time tongue strap at Haydock (2m7f, heavy) on Wednesday. Front pair clear there, so he has claims of a follow-up under a penalty here, provided that hard race hasn't take the edge off him.

Form: 442-821

Skipthescales^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 110| CD

9/1

Front pair had over 4L to spare over the third when he stayed on strongly from two out to win over C&D (good to soft) last month. Up 5lb for that, which looks fair. Still improving and certainly can't rule out a follow-up success.

Form: 523-631

Great Tempo^b1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 110

25/1

Had to go all the way to Hexham to win a maiden on his hurdling debut a year ago (2m, heavy) and handicapper has been in control since. Now down a total of 18lb after latest 5lb drop following reappearance and interesting in headgear.

Form: 18870-7

Durbanville⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: N P Madden| T: J Ewart| OR: 109

7/1

Improving performer who scored on his reappearance at Carlisle (2m3½f, heavy) in October. Form of that has not really been franked, but with stable going even better now, you couldn't rule him out in trying to defy a 5lb rise.

Form: 44-1

Serpico^t⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 107

33/1

Fairly consistent in novices' and handicap company last season, his best effort being when 3L second at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) from 1lb higher. Bit to prove in this field after being pulled up (in tongue strap) on reappearance at Southwell.

Form: 59525-P

Joseph Mercer^p²⁶⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: A Nicol| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 105| D

20/1

Consistent in second half of last season. Made frame here three times, twice over C&D and also won two at Sedgefield. Reappears after nine-month break, up 3lb and with stable looking for its first jumps winner of season. Market check.

Form: 231121-

On A Promise²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 105| C

4/1

Dropped 7lb prior to his reappearance here, he scored over 2m5½f. No surprise to see him follow up readily at Hexham (2m7½f, soft) by 4L last time under a penalty. Up 14lb, but manner of his win suggested he might be capable of defying that.

Form: 7875-11

Classico Dais^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 102

10/1

Runner-up over similar trips in all of his last three starts and probably put up his best effort last time at Chepstow (2m7½f, soft) when beaten 4½L. Gives the impression a maiden win not too far away and from same mark he is respected.

Form: 0052-22

Wind Of Hope²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 100| D

25/1

Won a Perth maiden hurdle in 2015 and has also scored over marathon trips in point-to-points. Recent efforts under rules leave plenty to be desired, however, and in such a competitive contest he is impossible to recommend.

Form: 122P-P6

Oscar's Prospect^v1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 100

16/1

Showed improvement as she was stepped up in trip, being runner-up three times in a row last winter. Tailed off/pulled up on reappearance (2m4½f, heavy) at Ayr last month. Dropped 2lb, back up in trip and now visored. Interesting with yard in form.

Form: 42224-P

Haul Us In^p²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 96

33/1

Disappointed when beaten 23L stepped up to this trip over fences at Hexham last time. Now dropped 2lb as she switches back to make her handicap debut over hurdles and will need to improve to conquer this field.

Form: 7833-26

Silver Dragon^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: C R King| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 93| C

33/1

Was a wide-margin winner over 3m3f at Sedgefield (good to soft) in May 2016, but not seen again until 44L seventh of eight behind Skipthescales over C&D last month. Won round here (soft) form 6lb higher in 2014, but a bit to prove after recent run.

Form: 55PP/1-7

Non-Runners

Classical Milano²⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: G Bewley J: Jonathon Bewley

Arctic Vodka²⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: Mrs S A Watt J: Finian O'Toole

Art Of Supremacy¹³⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: Micky Hammond J: Miss Becky Smith

Tickanrun⁵⁸⁴

Weight: 10-5| Age: 7

T: Micky Hammond J: Alain Cawley

Forecasts

Pop Rockstar (2/1), On A Promise (4/1), Durbanville (7/1), Skipthescales (9/1), Classico Dais (10/1), Sandhurst Lad (12/1), Arctic Vodka (16/1), Oscar's Prospect (16/1), Tickanrun (16/1), Joseph Mercer (20/1), Classical Milano (20/1), Wind Of Hope (25/1), Great Tempo (25/1), Serpico (33/1), Haul Us In (33/1), Silver Dragon (33/1), Art Of Supremacy (33/1)

A really good betting heat in prospect here a reasonably good case could be made for about half the field. Sandhurst Lad should benefit from the step up in trip and should remain competitive after his Plumpton success, while Pop Rockstar was game at Haydock on Wednesday and should go close under his penalty provided that effort did not take too much out of him. Skipthescales enters calculations after last month's win here, Great Tempo is very interesting, while Durbanville is another with claims after a 5lb rise. Classico Dais could go well again and perhaps still not manage to break his duck, while On A Promise is in cracking form and the manner of his Hexham wins suggests that even a 14lb rise might not prevent the hat-trick. However, OSCAR'S PROSPECT is the suggestion given a slight drop in the handicap, first-time visor and a more suitable trip today. With Jedd O'Keeffe among the winners, she gets the vote