13:25 Wincanton

Wednesday 26 December 2018

All12:2012:5513:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 5m 11.72s

William Henry^p²⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| BF| D

6/1

Several good efforts over hurdles last season, including when finishing fourth off a big weight at the Cheltenham Festival. Belated reappearance off a fair mark, but return to fences may be on the cards before too long.

Form: 21/P144-

Monbeg Theatre^p,t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 143| D

9/1

Creditable runs in Grade 2 company on last two starts. Returns to a handicap, but best form is over 3m so this may be on the sharp side.

Form: 31-1134

Coole Cody^h,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: M Blake| OR: 142| C| D

20/1

Things have not worked out for him in two starts over fences so connections have wasted little time in switching back to hurdles. Last year's good form gives him claims, but handicap mark looks a little high.

Form: 111P-4P

Black Mischief^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 142| D

9/2

Overcame trouble in running when landing a decent prize at Haydock last month. Up 6lb, but not too many miles on the clock and capable jockey's 5lb claim negates most of the weight rise.

Form: 5331-F1

Wait For Me⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137WS

6/1

Not at his best in two runs since returning from a break. Has had wind surgery and if it has produced a positive effect he has claims off this mark.

Form: 30-4207

Padleyourowncanoe²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Kimber⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135

13/2

Two solid placed runs before a respectable sixth of 15 to a progressive sort at Newbury. Suspicion remains that he is a little high in the handicap and no surprise a claimer is employed.

Form: 249-236

Fortunate George^p1¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 131| CD

7/1

Has few secrets from the handicapper and last three runs have been some way short of his best form. Needs to find plenty more off falling mark in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 7310-07

Mr Clarkson⁶¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 130

11/1

Promising two seasons ago, but has not been sighted since April, last year. Nicely handicapped if ready to go after his absence and stable is enjoying a good spell.

Form: 1P1217/

Whatthebutlersaw³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 130| D

16/1

Good effort when second of seven off 1lb lower at this venue last month. Each-way claims, but one or two of his rivals look stronger.

Form: 1/1-2102

Darcy Ward³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: Jack Barber| OR: 126

14/1

First run since April when well held at Market Rasen. Needs to find plenty more, but should be straighter and is 1lb lower.

Form: 2/1162-7

Rhythm Is A Dancer^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| CD

11/2

Two wins in three starts over timber, latterly when winning a novices' handicap over C&D off 6lb lower. More to offer, but runs from 3lb out of the weights, which is slightly offputting.

Form: 24-1211

Non-Runners

Coeur Blimey¹¹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 7

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Forecasts

Black Mischief (9/2), Rhythm Is A Dancer (11/2), Wait For Me (6/1), William Henry (6/1), Padleyourowncanoe (13/2), Fortunate George (7/1), Coeur Blimey (8/1), Monbeg Theatre (9/1), Mr Clarkson (11/1), Darcy Ward (14/1), Whatthebutlersaw (16/1), Coole Cody (20/1)

A cracking contest in which cases can be made for most of the runners, not least top-weight William Henry from last year's winning stable and, at the other end of the handicap, Rhythm Is A Dancer. However, both will do well to match strides with BLACK MISCHIEF, who won a good prize at Haydock last time despite not getting the clearest of runs and has the services of a very useful claimer. Mr Clarkson is interesting on his return to action.