16:05 Kempton

Monday 7 May 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Matchbook Betting Podcast Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 55.2s

Querry Horse^p¹⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 120WS

8/1

Still just the one novice hurdle to his name over the smaller obstacles so far, and despite a sinking handicap mark he was pulled-up off 3lb higher last time and makes very limited appeal on that basis.

Form: 1UP/69P-

Fixed Rate^b,t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 120| C

8/1

Hardly the most consistent and effort so far this year haven't been his best. Back down to his most recent winning mark (and conditional claims 10lb), but not necessarily one to rely on.

Form: P1624P-

Rothman^p,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C Gordon| OR: 118| D

4/1

In good form of late and won very well last time out at Plumpton. That's reflected in the 8lb he's been raised since but that doesn't rule him out of running well and conditions should be fine.

Form: 822521-

North Hill^h¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 117| CD

4/1

Significantly higher in the weights than at the time of his back-to-back handicap victories this time last year (just two moderate runs since), and handicapper looks in charge for now.

Form: 0F1/159-

Spin A Yarn²⁶³

4/1

Only three starts over hurdles so far, the last of which came last August but only narrowly beaten in a novice event. Makes his handicap debut now for a new trainer having had a wind op; interesting.

Form: 0/312-

Foxy Act²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 115

12/1

Only poor form on her most recent outings. She came into her own last summer and not ruled out from doing that again but others still hold much more convincing claims.

Form: 117P40-

Brown Bear⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 114| D

12/1

Progressed well last year and had a good overall strike-rate. That improvement seems to have levelled off now but switch back to hurdles from fences may help.

Form: 1115P6-

Faint Hope²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: L Heard| T: G Harris| OR: 113

9/1

Definite step in the right direction at Ffos Las last time on first start after a wind operation. Makes his handicap debut now and could run well off this opening mark.

Form: 673553-

Aviator^p1¹⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 112| D

16/1

Only two hurdle wins came back in 2015; very in and out both over obstacles and on the level in the meantime, and has plenty to prove at this stage.

Form: 1240/66-

Forecasts

Spin A Yarn (4/1), Rothman (4/1), North Hill (4/1), Fixed Rate (8/1), Querry Horse (8/1), Faint Hope (9/1), Brown Bear (12/1), Foxy Act (12/1), Aviator (16/1)

It may be worth siding with FAINT HOPE. Grace Harris' charge put in a solid effort in novice company on his first run after a wind operation last time, and was always more likely to be a better handicapper. If improving again, as horses often do on their second run after wind surgery, he could get off the mark here. The lightly-raced Spin A Yarn and the in-form Rothman are others with claims.