12:25 Wincanton

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Bathwick Tyres Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:25 | Winning time: 4m 9.00s

Ambre Des Marais²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 112

7/4

Has been a revelation for current trainer, winning three handicap hurdles before being narrowly beaten off a career-high mark last time. Up another 4lb on ground softer than ideal, but has to be respected.

Form: U8/1112

Quiz Master^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 107

4/1

Still looking for his first win, but seems to be getting his act together and should find a race before too long after finishing second on his last two starts. Main worry is his rise in the weights for not winning.

Form: 33-4422

Camron De Chaillac^p1³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 105

20/1

Best effort came in February when second at Plumpton. Now 4lb lower, but recent displays have not been to that earlier level and first-time cheekpieces need to work their magic.

Form: 3627-65

Blue Bullet^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 104

14/1

Promise in bumpers, and novice, maiden and handicap hurdles. Looks a little high in the handicap, but is worth a second look nonetheless.

Form: 227-866

Windspiel¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: D W P Arbuthnot| OR: 102

14/1

Only limited promise in novice hurdles before making his debut in handicap company at Sandown last time. Slipped up on the flat that day and hard to know what to expect off the same mark.

Form: 098-3S

Summer Getaway³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 102

20/1

Pulled up on latest outing at Chepstow, having shaped with a degree of promise on previous start at Ascot. Chance off 8lb lower if able to shrug off last time's disappointment.

Form: 0730-8P

Kristal Hart^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr James King⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 96

10/1

Ran into a hugely-progressive sort at Plumpton last time and is able to race off the same mark. That rival has won twice more and gone up 37lb since that contest so this mare has to be thereabouts if turning up in the same form. Acts on soft.

Form: 324-442

Matts Legacy⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 94

11/2

Wore a hood when refusing to race at Uttoxeter last time. Previous third at Chepstow gives him prospects with the headgear left off, but his recent behaviour is a cause for concern.

Form: 09-603R

Peppay Le Pugh^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 90

16/1

Still looking for his first win after 12 attempts over hurdles. Last two wins give him plenty to prove despite a falling handicap mark

Form: 420-476

Just Spot¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Conor Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bishop| OR: 87

10/1

Pulled up on both starts over fences last season, but return to hurdling on her reappearance saw her finish second of 10 at Exeter earlier this month. Up 2lb and approaching the twilight of her career, but makes more appeal than most.

Form: 821/PP-2

Brean Golf Birdie^h³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Mr Jake Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: C J Gray| OR: 80

20/1

Without a win in 18 starts on the Flat and over hurdles. Continues to fall down the handicap, but is still hard to make a case for.

Form: 4-03894

Forecasts

Ambre Des Marais (7/4), Quiz Master (4/1), Matts Legacy (11/2), Just Spot (10/1), Kristal Hart (10/1), Blue Bullet (14/1), Windspiel (14/1), Peppay Le Pugh (16/1), Camron De Chaillac (20/1), Brean Golf Birdie (20/1), Summer Getaway (20/1)

Top-weight Ambre Des Marais races off a career-high mark and may find the ground too soft, but this is not the strongest of contests and, given her profile, she cannot be ruled out lightly. That said, it would be a surprise if something were not better handicapped and the one who fits the bill is KRISTAL HART, who had no chance against a well-handicapped horse last time and can run off the same mark. Quiz Master represents a top stable and is feared despite going up in the weights without winning.