15:45 Kempton

Saturday 13 January 2018

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

32Red.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:49 | Winning time: 3m 59.0s

Charming Zen³²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139

5/2

Won over timber in France before landing a Doncaster novices' hurdle for Dan Skelton. Off the track since last February and has no easy task under top weight, but his tip-top claimer takes off 5lb.

Form: 11-

Jenkins^b1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132| D

7/2

Lofty reputation as a bumper performer and made a good start over timber when winning a Newbury novices' hurdle. Subsequent efforts suggest he is more about hype than substance, but top yard reaches for blinkers and he will have his supporters.

Form: 2141-77

Don Bersy⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Symonds| OR: 130| D

5/1

Shaped respectably in a much better contest at Ascot last time and would have finished closer but for a blunder 2 out. Runs off the same mark and has an each-way shout.

Form: 1113-79

Hurricane Hollow⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

33/1

All three of his hurdles win were achieved in 2014 and 2015. Has clearly had his problems and was well held in a fair race at Sandown last weekend. Plenty to proveand stable companion One For Billy looks stronger.

Form: 41839/8

Maquisard¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 127

25/1

French import who was having his first race for current trainer when well held over C&D last month. Needs to take a step forward off 3lb lower.

Form: 13/6-8

Viserion^p³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| D

9/1

Back to winning ways when landing a handicap off 7lb lower at Sedgefield last time. Stable does well with its raiders in the South so he is one to consider.

Form: 21-P861

Minellaforleisure²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: A M Hales| OR: 125| D

16/1

Little encouragement on recent starts and is not getting any younger. On the plus side, the handicapper is relenting so he is worth a second look.

Form: 52046-7

Le Precieux¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: A Glassonbury| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

50/1

Joined current stable from France two starts ago and latest of those was an improvement when fifth of eight at Fontwell. Down 2lb and likely to pop up for his good yard at some stage, but that may be further down the line.

Form: 2/510-05

One For Billy^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 119| D

7/2

Winner of two of his six races, but was well held in fifth at Doncaster last time. Only 1lb lower, but has the services of a good 7lb claimer and has decent prospects.

Form: 3-19315

Forecasts

Charming Zen (5/2), Jenkins (7/2), One For Billy (7/2), Don Bersy (5/1), Viserion (9/1), Minellaforleisure (16/1), Maquisard (25/1), Hurricane Hollow (33/1), Le Precieux (50/1)

If Jenkins were able to reproduce what he is rumoured to show at home he would be capable of blowing this field apart. However, he comes with too many risks and his stable companion Charming Zen may be a better proposition. Lack of a recent run may tell against him, though, and bottom weight ONE FOR BILLY may be able to take this under his good 7b claimer. Don Bersy and Viserion are not out of it, while stable companions Maquisard and Le Precieux are worth keeping an eye on.