13:30 Huntingdon

Friday 12 January 2018

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Smarkets Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 10.30s

Shining Romeo¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: D P Quinn| OR: 115| C

10/1

Stamina looks to be a question mark over this trip having won here over shorter in the past prior to scoring twice on the Flat. Has gone through his races well enough of late though and dropped 5lb by the handicapper; much better at 2m though.

Form: 234035

Travertine²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁶⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115

7/2

Given a quiet introduction on his first run in GB at Exeter in a better race than this in late December over 2m2f. His only previous hurdles win had come over 3m but he looks as though he can cope with this trip and this outing should reveal his true potential.

Form: 62-1707

Balibour⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 115

6/1

Yet to win a race of any sort but has shown some ability in novice hurdles over a variety of trips and now makes his handicap debut. Has looked as though he would need a greater test of stamina though and may find one of two of these a little sharper.

Form: 70-4653

Sunnytahliateigan⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Edward Austin⁽⁸⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 113| D

3/1

Won a couple of handicap hurdles over a similar distance in April last year and looked to need the run on his comeback at Cheltenham in a tougher race than this. Showed the benefit of that run when finishing runner-up at Sandown and just 3lb higher here.

Form: 711-462

Just So Cool⁶⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Kieron Edgar| T: David Dennis| OR: 107

8/1

This will be his 4th handicap start and he's been placed on the previous three but has always looked as though he will be suited by further. Now returns from a lengthy break dropped 5lb in the weights but looks as though this outing will be needed.

Form: 803223/

Le Capricieux²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: William Clarke⁽⁸⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 107

8/1

Has taken long enough to open his account but did so last time out at Plumpton proving that he retains plenty of his ability. Has to prove that he can handle this trip but only 5lb higher here and hard to rule out of the equation.

Form: 2235-01

Prettylittlething^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁸⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 97| C

14/1

The earlier winning spree now looks in the past and she's rather struggling of late and was returned to hurdles last time out. Cheekpieces now replace the blinkers that were tried for the first time but she's hard to recommend at the moment.

Form: 154558

The Blue Bomber^h1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Bridget Andrews| T: C Fryer| OR: 97

22/1

Was a fair maiden hurdler at his best when with Mick Channon but rather appears to have lost his way and has shown very little in three runs for this yard. Now tried in a hood for the first time but one to watch rather than back in his current form.

Form: 4F6-996

Mickieblueeyes^t1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Sherwood| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 95

8/1

Winner of a bumper when a 20/1 shot on debut at Plumpton but that is a rather distant memory now and he's hardly built on that promise over hurdles. Has settled a bit better of late and now makes his handicap debut in a first-time tongue tie.

Form: 1/7-69

Max Milano⁵⁴

Age: 13| Weight: 10-0| J: Michael Heard| T: A E Jessop| OR: 76

150/1

Has in the past shown some reasonable form over hurdles but even given a good break this rather fragile sort has continued out of form. Has plummeted down the handicap but hardly looks as though he'll take advantage any time soon.

Form: 9/3P6-P0

Non-Runners

Sporty Yankee¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: M Keighley J: Harry Stock

Forecasts

Sunnytahliateigan (3/1), Travertine (7/2), Balibour (6/1), Just So Cool (8/1), Mickieblueeyes (8/1), Le Capricieux (8/1), Shining Romeo (10/1), Sporty Yankee (11/1), Prettylittlething (14/1), The Blue Bomber (22/1), Max Milano (150/1)

There are plenty in this that would have to come back to life to have any chance but that’s not to say there aren’t any interesting players in this. Travertine would be one of interest if there was any market support for him having shaped nicely at Exeter last time out. Balibour remains a maiden but one that has shown some promise and he makes his handicap debut here although the mark does look stiff enough and he could do with a greater test of stamina. Le Capricieux sprang to life on his last start and isn’t out of this off a 5lb higher mark with SUNNYTAHLIATEIGAN given the vote after his two runs this season. The first when he needed the run came in a far tougher race than this at Cheltenham and a repeat of his run at Sandown last time out will see him go close here.