Jim Hibbs Christmas Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 9.2s

The Gipper⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 111| D

11/10

Took advantage of falling handicap mark to score at Lingfield last week, coming right away in the closing stages. Even with the penalty to carry here, still looks well treated and with conditions ideal again, every chance of following up.

Form: 6344-71

Starcrossed¹²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss L Brooke⁽⁷⁾| T: Lady S Brooke| OR: 117| D

20/1

First start for new yard after leaving Dan Skelton, hasn't progressed from his win at Huntingdon in February and addition of cheekpieces did little last time. May need to come down a few pounds in the handicap now.

Form: 71-4249

Radical Archie²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 117| D

3/1

Stablemate of The Gipper, and like that one, scored on latest outing when a game winner at Chepstow. 7lb rise fair enough and soft/heavy ground no problem, and this improving sort won't be bothered by the drop back in trip, so has chances.

Form: 6/7PP1-1

Alohamora²⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash| OR: 116| D

12/1

Irish raider but already a winner on these shores after coming good at Catterick in February. Has gone well after a break so absence not necessarily an issue, but this mark looks high enough now. May need to find more.

Form: 143-

Llantara^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 112| D

3/1

Eats mudpies for breakfast, so won't mind however deep the ground gets, and will also appreciate this drop in grade after a decent effort on quicker at Ludlow last time. May still have more to offer and a good pace up front will help her cause.

Form: 02511-3

Forecasts

The Gipper (11/10), Radical Archie (3/1), Llantara (3/1), Alohamora (12/1), Starcrossed (20/1)

Evan Williams appears to hold the aces here, with both Radical Archie and THE GIPPER coming into this in good form. The Gipper won with some authority at Lingfield and under ideal conditions again, will take some beating if over those exertions. Llantara will be around to pick up the pieces if they go too fast up front, and she cannot have the ground slow enough.