14:55 Hereford

Saturday 15 December 2018

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Get Home Safely With George Smith Horseboxes Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 51.50s

Topper Thornton²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 117

7/1

Promising fourth over an extended 2m7f on seasonal debut at Chepstow (good-to-soft) last month. Has run well over further in the past.

Form: 825PP-4

Western Wave²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 114

10/3

Placed on both starts since returning from a break including at Southwell (3m, good) last time out. Promising amateur jockey in the saddle once more.

Form: 43-P623

Steel Bob^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 114

11/2

Promising second in a novice hurdle over an extended 2m5f at Fontwell (good) in June last year. First start since came when pulled up at Chepstow (good-to-soft) last month and cheekpieces worn at Fontwell make a return.

Form: 1P/412-P

Polished Rock^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: J Farrelly| OR: 110| BF

14/1

Completed a double when winning over an extended 2m6f in a handicap chase at Uttoxeter (good) in October. Well beaten back over hurdles last time and races off the same mark on this occasion.

Form: 8-12117

Jully Les Buxy^t,v1¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 110

9/2

Returning from a break when finishing 10L second at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) just under a fortnight ago. Wears a visor for the first time on this occasion.

Form: 4531-P2

Late Shipment^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 108| CD

4/1

In good form in early 2017 but failed to score last season and more needed than when finishing sixth over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (good-to-soft) last time out.

Form: 4F573-6

Larch Hill^h⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Savage⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 107

10/1

Maiden after six starts and steps up in trip having finished fourth over an extended 2m4f at Leicester (good-to-firm) earlier this month.

Form: 8F-36P4

Itsamanslife²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 102

7/1

Seven race maiden finished 28L sixth over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow (soft) last month. Stepping up in trip and placed in a couple of point-to-points over 3m in spring 2017.

Form: 5647-P6

Forecasts

Western Wave (10/3), Late Shipment (4/1), Jully Les Buxy (9/2), Steel Bob (11/2), Itsamanslife (7/1), Topper Thornton (7/1), Larch Hill (10/1), Polished Rock (14/1)

The application of a visor can see JULLY LES BUXY go one better than when finishing runner-up last time out. Tom George's charge should appreciate conditions here and she can get the better of Polished Rock who can put a disappointing effort last time out behind him. Third place can go the way of Western Wave who has been running well this season.