14:55 Wetherby

Tuesday 23 January 2018

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Biggest Jumps Season On Racing UK Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 7m 21.21s

Final Fling^p²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 0-0| J: A Nicol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 101| CD

10/3

In better form this year and won over C&D last month, sticking to his task in game fashion. Hasn't always backed up a good run with another but can't be ruled out from 7lb higher.

Form: 913561

American Life¹⁹

Age: 19| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| BF| D

Form: 2P2-223

Ben Arthur^p,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 0-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 100| D

7/1

Ffos Las winner over hurdles last year but hasn't looked a natural chaser this season. Return to hurdles looks a smart mover here and stays this trip so could run well.

Form: 1P-6U24

Mister Drifter⁵⁸

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: D Pipe

Form: 7-56646

Asking Questions^b1,t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: Ross Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 99| D

11/2

Point-to-point winner who produced a career best at Ffos Las last month in similar ground to what he will get here. Not as good at Hereford last time but step up in trip could suit and gets first-time blinkers.

Form: 2-40826

Mad For Action⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 98

8/1

Tailed off in three career starts but is of interest on handicap debut upped markedly in trip. Trainer has an excellent strike-rate of 26.92% at this course and worthy of respect.

Form: 868

Floramoss⁵⁸

Age: 15| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: G Boanas

Form: 2422-04

Captain Black⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95

16/1

Tailed off in three career starts and makes handicap debut here. Trainer has a fair record with handicap debutantes and worth a market check.

Form: 678

Broken Quest⁴⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: David Dennis| D

Form: 31-47P

Ballyantics⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 0-0| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 92

8/1

Well beaten in first five starts in novice company but produced a better effort on handicap debut at Taunton last time out. Up 1lb for that but could improve again.

Form: 7-60783

Ceegem^v1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 91

8/1

Still a maiden after seven starts under Rules and best career effort came on good ground at Kelso in October. Needs the first-time visor to bring improvement.

Form: 959-436

Olivia Joan³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 0-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: A C Whillans| OR: 89

80/1

Completed just one from four starts over hurdles and, given her desperate previous form in bumpers, it would be surprising to see her get her nose in front here.

Form: 6-0P7FP

The Model County²³

Age: 8| Weight: 0-0| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 88| D

14/1

A winner twice last season including a heavy ground success but tailed off on two starts this campaign. Has a bit to prove off the back of those efforts.

Form: 6181-PP

Flemerina¹¹

Age: 17| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

Form: 1-44833

Katara Bay^h¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 0-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Leavy| OR: 80

25/1

Tailed off on bumper debut for previous yard and yet to show any improved form in three maiden hurdle efforts. Makes handicap debut but there's a suspicion he'll struggle.

Form: 5/055

The Bishop⁷⁴

Age: 18| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: N W Alexander| D

Form: P124-95

Sounds Of Italy^p1⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 0-0| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 74| D

11/2

Point-to-point winner who has shown nothing in three starts over hurdles, all at big odds. Makes handicap debut, tries a new trip and first-time cheekpieces but leap of faith certainly required.

Form: 23P-000

Red Admirable³³

Age: 20| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| D

Form: 445-216

Alka Step²⁸

Age: 15| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: N J Gifford| D

Form: 2-10588

Ever So Much⁹⁰

Age: 17| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: B Haslam

Form: 5P-6535

Tickanrun²⁷

Age: 16| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: Micky Hammond

Form: 7262/2-2

Bertalus⁶⁷

Age: 17| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: N W Alexander| D

Form: PP6P-9P

Houndscourt²⁷

Age: 19| Weight: 0-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss J E Foster| CD

Form: 2548-P4

Gentleman James²⁸

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

Form: FPP-800

Blue Cove²⁴⁵

Age: 21| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: Miss L C Siddall

Form: 00833-P

Forecasts

Final Fling (10/3), Asking Questions (11/2), Sounds Of Italy (11/2), Ben Arthur (7/1), Ballyantics (8/1), Ceegem (8/1), Mad For Action (8/1), The Model County (14/1), Captain Black (16/1), Katara Bay (25/1), Olivia Joan (80/1)

BEN ARTHUR hasn't taken to fences this season but he's respected returned to this sphere and should have no issue seeing out this trip. Final Fling's win over course and distance last time was impressive and could be effective off his revised mark. Mad For Action hasn't shown a great deal in three hurdles starts but his trainer has an excellent record at this course and he's respected on handicap debut.