13:15 Kempton

Saturday 24 February 2018

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Back Or Lay On Betdaq Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 7.30s

Premier Bond^p⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| BF

10/1

Progressive novice chaser last season, but was never travelling on his reappearance at Cheltenham and was pulled up. Reverts to hurdles off a mark 2lb lower than his chase rating.

Form: 2113P-P

Our Kaempfer^p1,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133| CD

12/1

Has been struggling since winning at this track in January, last year, and was making his first appearance after wind surgery when sixth of eight at Huntingdon last month. Down 5lb, but has questions to answer in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1PP-P76

Monbeg Legend³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

6/1

Won his first three starts over hurdles, but surrendered his unbeaten record at Taunton where he was defeated by an improved performer. May have found the going too soft that day so conditions could be to his liking.

Form: 1/1112

The Mighty Don²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 132

13/2

Creditable performances to finish second on his last two starts, the latest of them off this mark at Huntingdon where he had Our Kaempfer behind. Likely to be on the premises again.

Form: 19-7822

Take To Heart⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

10/1

Registered a couple of wins in the summer, but was well beaten after a break at Ascot in November. Probably needs a sound surface to be seen to best effect. Handicap debut.

Form: 28-2117

Master Dancer^p⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 130| D

10/1

Back-to-back wins at Chepstow and Cheltenham in the autumn and, although the handicapper had his say, there was no shame in his fourth at Newbury on his last start. Solid each-way chance if in the same form.

Form: 6/120-14

Django Django²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

8/1

Took advantage of a rival's last-flight blunder to get off the mark in a novice event at Huntingdon. One to consider on his first start in a handicap.

Form: 45621

Criq Rock⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 125

14/1

Returned from a seven-month break to finish a distant second of four at Wincanton. Should be fitter, but runs off the same mark which gives him quite a bit to do.

Form: 3227-22

Morning Herald⁴³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M Keighley| OR: 123| D

50/1

Won twice during her novice campaign, but has been off the track for over 14 months. LIkely to need the run, but worth a check in the betting.

Form: 413/120-

Awesome Rosie⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 122

10/1

Returned to winning ways with a hard-fought success at Sandown. A rise of 4lb is fair and she should be on the premises again if in the same mood.

Form: 6238-31

Wolfcatcher^p,t⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 120

12/1

One win from 10 runs over hurdles and has been running with a fair amount of credit on his latest starts without hinting that he is about to strike. The handicapper is relenting a little.

Form: 0P-6530

My Charity⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 120

14/1

Promise in maiden/novice hurdles, but was out of his depth in a strong race at Cheltenham last time when heavy ground might not have suited. Interesting on handicap debut.

Form: 5-5238

Kings Walk¹¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120| D

12/1

Winning hurdler who was not disgraced on his chasing debut/seasonal reappearance when finishing third to two decent horses at Wetherby. Reverts to hurdles and has each-way claims.

Form: 84163-3

Earlshill^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

20/1

Without a win in six starts over hurdles, but did run well to finish a close third at Uttoxeter in November. Disappointing on heavy ground last time and sounder surface should suit.

Form: 2P42-35

Forecasts

Monbeg Legend (6/1), The Mighty Don (13/2), Django Django (8/1), Awesome Rosie (10/1), Master Dancer (10/1), Premier Bond (10/1), Take To Heart (10/1), Kings Walk (12/1), Wolfcatcher (12/1), Our Kaempfer (12/1), Criq Rock (14/1), My Charity (14/1), Earlshill (20/1), Morning Herald (50/1)

A competitive handicap hurdle in which Monbeg Legend may be the best of the three champion trainer's representatives. Awesome Rosie looks the number one of two runners from another top yard, but a chance is take on MY CHARITY, who has shown fair form in novice company and will be suited by this return to better ground on his handicap debut. Cases can also be made for The Mighty Don, Master Dancer and Django Django, while Kings Walk and Earlshill are not out of it, either.