12:20 Fontwell

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Southern Cranes And Access Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 5m 8.65s

Alka Step²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 100

22/1

Maiden point-point winner has shown very little thus far in three novice hurdle runs, beaten 30 plus lengths in each. Steps into handicaps here with opening mark plenty high enough.

Form: 2-1058

Jebs Gamble^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Conor Ring| T: N J Gifford| OR: 100

4/1

Maiden has run six of his 11 races here. Started this season with a fair fourth at Plumpton before second here behind an easy winner. Looks capable of getting involved off this mark.

Form: 68-5242

Yukon Delta²⁰³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: William Clarke⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 92| C

20/1

Course winner over hurdles albeit over 3m1½f. Seemed to lose his way since that win in November 2016. Having first run since the summer on ground softer than ideal and trip on the short side.

Form: 7U2-856

Be Daring^h²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 92| BF

10/1

Shown promise in three races this term. C&D fourth two starts ago followed by unseating at the last when staying on in mid-division at Plumpton. Handicap sliding and has each-way potential.

Form: 55-474U

Ermyn's Emerald⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 90

14/1

Unplaced in 11 career starts although his latest fifth of 11 at Plumpton where beaten 9L is his best effort to date. Gets another 2lb off the handicapper and may make the frame before long.

Form: 704-P85

Willshebetrying¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: M R Hoad| OR: 90| CD

9/2

Off the mark latest when winning over C&D in heavy going. Raised 4lb for the success but that unlikely to stop her and should come on for that, her first run of the season so leading player.

Form: 5/5453-1

River Dun^h²⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Michael Heard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 88

13/2

Showed ability in bumpers a couple of seasons back but hurdles form very poor. Switched however to leading trainer now so improvement is possible and isn't forgotten on return.

Form: 8505BP-

Oskar Denarius^h,t⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Hicks⁽⁷⁾| T: J Mason| OR: 78| D

6/4

Left previous form well behind latest when winning very easily by 12L at Catterick over today's distance. Quick turnaround under a 7lb penalty wise before re-assessment and looks the one to beat.

Form: 86-57P1

Walk Of Gleams⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss A M Newton-Smith| OR: 72

33/1

C&D second is her standout piece of form but it came over two years ago. Lightly raced since and well held on return last month. Handicap falling but others make more appeal.

Form: 2P/55-P6

Non-Runners

Minellatillmorning²⁸

Weight: 11-11| Age: 5

T: N P Mulholland J: Harry Reed

Sweet'n'chic²⁹⁵

Weight: 10-6| Age: 7

T: R Rowe J: Jack Savage

Forecasts

Oskar Denarius (6/4), Jebs Gamble (4/1), Willshebetrying (9/2), River Dun (13/2), Be Daring (10/1), Minellatillmorning (10/1), Ermyn's Emerald (14/1), Yukon Delta (20/1), Sweet'n'chic (20/1), Alka Step (22/1), Walk Of Gleams (33/1)

A couple of these were winners last time out and the pair look well ahead of the rest on recent form. Preference is for very easy Catterick winner OSKAR DENARIUS who will surely go up more than 7lb which is his penalty today. Willshebetrying has the benefit of course experience so se too looks sure to go close. Jebs Gamble also seems to run well here and may be best of the rest.