14:10 Fakenham

Tuesday 19 December 2017

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:10

Racing At Fakenham On New Year's Day Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 21.75s

Towering^b¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: P J Brennan| T: C R Dore| OR: 107| D

9/2

Added a soft ground win to his CV at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in October from a mark of 97 and went very close to a successful follow-up at Carlisle next time after a 7lb rise. Not sure drop in trip ideal and handicapper just looks to have the edge for now.

Form: 671245

Walsingham Grange^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 107| D

7/2

Has been largely consistent over hurdles, though won just one of those at Catterick (1m7½f, soft) in February. Has only run to that level once since, but if he can get back to it then he is well handicapped from today's 6lb lower mark.

Form: 31256-7

General Bux²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 103

7/1

Yet to build on the promise of his 2015 debut bumper run on soft ground. Doesn't look to have been easy to keep sound, so last month's Warwick return gives him something to build on. Interesting to see what market makes of him from this mark.

Form: 5/P-67

The Blue Bomber¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 102

15/2

0-14 under both codes but was a reasonable novice over hurdles last season when with Mick Channon. Not at that level so far in two handicaps for this yard but has dropped to a very handy mark and handles cut, so a better effort anticipated.

Form: 34F6-99

Ataman^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 98

14/1

Has gone off at increasing odds in all four starts for this trainer in novices'/maiden company. Handicap mark looks stiff enough based on those efforts at face value, but may be a fair bit more to come under the champion jockey.

Form: 5969

Cubswin³³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-13| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 103| BF| CD

4/1

Left Roger Charlton after winning a 1m3½f Bath handicap (firm) in July and began well for this yard over hurdles, winning over C&D on debut. Not quite as good at Ludlow last time. Soft ground a concern but mark probably fair and not ruled out.

Form: 13

Gin And Tonic^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Wigham| OR: 79| CD

9/2

Goes well here with two C&D wins to his name (one on soft). Now 22lb lower than the more recent of those after a lengthy losing run. Slightly better effort last time here over fences, but likely to find a few too good.

Form: 437P83

Non-Runners

Hurricane Rita¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: Lewis Stones

Aza Run³¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: S A Harris J: J M Quinlan

Forecasts

Hurricane Rita (10/3), Walsingham Grange (7/2), Cubswin (4/1), Gin And Tonic (9/2), Towering (9/2), Aza Run (9/2), General Bux (7/1), The Blue Bomber (15/2), Ataman (14/1)

Not the easiest race to read with a few who could bounce back to form and look well treated in hindsight. Without that knowledge, however, the suggestion is ATAMAN. One of three in the field saddled by Olly Murphy, he has the champion up for this handicap debut and could do much better now he goes handicapping. Walsingham Grange is more exposed but very much respected from today's mark, while Towering could go well but find a couple too good. Hurricane Rita is another to consider along with the juvenile Cubswin. Keep an eye on General Bux in the market too.