14:35 Ludlow

Wednesday 19 December 2018

All12:2012:5513:2514:0014:3515:0515:35

Tanners Champagne Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 6m 5.30s

Sumkindofking^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 137| C| D

5/1

Twice a winner over fences this year (winner here over 2m4f for the 2nd of those); decent placed effort thereafter. 2nd here last time out under today's pilot and a repeat of that run would put him in the mix although his mark is getting tougher.

Form: 151322

Tenor Nivernais^p³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135| D

17/2

Has some smart form to his name in the past (won an Ascot handicap off 152) but lost his way last year and drop in the weights/class on his return failed to spark him. Stable are going better now and not totally ruled out especially with more rain.

Form: 20/P6P-9

Rightdownthemiddle^p¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: S Curran| OR: 132| D

40/1

His overall chase record (1-17) is an unappealing one (win came in a Listowel novice - 2015) and his recent chasing starts have been underwhelming. Makes his debut for this yard having won a Leicester selling hurdle narrowly last time.

Form: 172001

Holly Bush Henry^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: P W Middleton| OR: 132| D

10/1

Enjoyed a good last season (won four times) although only one of those wins came in this sphere; did run a fine race over fences at Aintree in April (better than final position). Failed to improve for return run (had wind op between) last time.

Form: 1256-96

Spider's Bite²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 132| CD

2/1

Won a staying novice hurdle (3m) here earlier in the year and whilst he can look a little quirky he took well to fences on his debut at Ascot. 5lb higher now after that effort he could still be ahead of his mark; looks capable of a win over fences.

Form: 361P-52

Fox Appeal^t,v³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 132| CD

8/1

Won this race two years ago; he can be rather hit-and-miss with his jumping but the handicapper is now giving him a real chance. Back below the mark he won this off and 9lb below his last winning mark; took a step in the right direction last time.

Form: 52FP4-2

Above Board²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131| D

10/1

Lightly-raced but boasts a good strike-rate over fences (2-7) with his win at Uttoxeter back from a break showing what he is capable of. His last two runs have been a mixed bag (jumped poorly last time; well backed) and needs to bounce back here.

Form: P-13276

Opening Batsman^t³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 130| CD

11/1

Reaching the veteran stage now and lightly-raced over the last 18 months but has slipped back to well below his last winning mark. C&D winner who went with real zip last time at Hereford (briefly looked the winner); still a capable sort.

Form: 11/443-4

Beau Du Brizais¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129| C

5/1

Has taken a while to get off the mark over fences but duly did so over 3m1f here last time (beat Sumkindofking) overcoming a bad mistake two out (win worth more value than on paper). Faces a stiffer task here but may still have progress in him.

Form: P-63231

Non-Runners

Silverhow⁴¹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: C L Tizzard J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Spider's Bite (2/1), Beau Du Brizais (5/1), Sumkindofking (5/1), Silverhow (7/1), Fox Appeal (8/1), Tenor Nivernais (17/2), Holly Bush Henry (10/1), Above Board (10/1), Opening Batsman (11/1), Rightdownthemiddle (40/1)

Like the other chase on the card this is competitive with five already having won around here; three over C&D and it’s hard to totally rule many out. Sumkindofking and BEAU DU BRIZAIS resume their rivalry from last time with the latter fancied to confirm the form despite a 6lb rise in the weights. Both Tenor Nivernais and Opening Batsman are well handicapped on their old form and would be a danger to all the former especially if there is more rain. Spider’s Bite has little experience over fences but has plenty of potential in this sphere over this sort of trip while the winner of this two years ago Fox Appeal can’t be ignored.