15:40 Kempton

Wednesday 27 December 2017

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

32Red Download The App Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 9.00s

Unison¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 137| D

20/1

33/1 winner first time out at Exeter before struggling latest in a hot Sandown handicap. 1lb ease not enough tp be confident but has a knack for causing upsets.

Form: 0210-19

Kayf Grace³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132| BF| D

11/4

Grade Two bumper winner won easily enough on hurdles debut at Bangor in December 2016 but then missed 11 months before pulling too hard and weakening latest at Ascot. Much better expected now and remains one with potential.

Form: 3211/1-5

Maquisard¹²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130

50/1

Just three races over hurdles in France winning one, that in January 2016. Now switched to a stable who does well with new recruits, especially those from France so this an interesting newcomer to these shores.

Form: 13/6-

Azzerti⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 127| D

5/1

Dual novice winner last term but well-beaten in two handicaps to start this season. Handicap falling but not seen enough encouragement to suggest it will be enough.

Form: 1213-74

Mister Malarky³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 126| CD

10/3

Off the mark latest when beating a previous winner who has won again since over C&D. Enters handicaps here with his opening mark not looking impossible if he can build on his win latest.

Form: 360-351

Darling Maltaix^h⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125

25/1

French bumper winner has shown promise last twice at Taunton with a decent third followed by unseating when appearing booked for second. Races very keenly which is a concern.

Form: 1-553F

Eddiemaurice³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: T Scudamore| T: J L Flint| OR: 121| D

7/1

Fourth of 12 latest at Ascot when reverting to hurdles an improvement after struggles over fences. 1lb ease still sees him above last winning mark but has each-way potential nonetheless.

Form: 593-P44

Chatez⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 120| BF| D

13/2

Returned from more than two years off to finish second on the flat latest. Struggled in two handicaps after winning pair of novices when last over hurdles but that nearly three years ago. Now hard to gauge.

Form: 118P/

Apache Song²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 119

22/1

Just the four starts to date over hurdles. Won a strange, very slowly run race at Market Rasen before latest second at Hereford off same mark. This however undoubtedly a tougher race.

Form: 23-12

Monty's Award³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| BF| D

8/1

Worcester bumper winner has shown promise in two novice hurdles at Uttoxeter with thirds in each. Now needs more as he moves into handicap company but plenty of scope for improvement.

Form: 14-33

Non-Runners

Gwafa⁴³⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: P R Webber J: R P McLernon

Demon D'Aunou⁴²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 4

T: J & A O'Neill J: N D Fehily

Dexcite²⁵

Weight: 10-1| Age: 6

T: T R George J: James Best

Templier⁴⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: M Goldstein

Forecasts

Kayf Grace (11/4), Mister Malarky (10/3), Azzerti (5/1), Chatez (13/2), Eddiemaurice (7/1), Demon D'Aunou (7/1), Monty's Award (8/1), Gwafa (8/1), Dexcite (16/1), Unison (20/1), Apache Song (22/1), Darling Maltaix (25/1), Templier (33/1), Maquisard (50/1)

DEMON D'AUNOU showed plenty of ability in his Market Rasen win where he travelled supremely well and he ran well enough last time too at Bangor. Jonjo O'Neill's charge ought to improve further too and is a very interesting runner in his first handicap start. Nicky Henderson's Kayf Grace had smart form a couple of seasons ago and she should step up on her latest run here so she too is respected. Mister Malarky's last win has worked out well and he is of interest now switched to handicaps also.