15:05 Leicester

Friday 28 December 2018

All12:5013:2513:5514:3015:0515:40

Leicestershire Bronze Fox Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 3m 49.60s

Antunes¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

4/1

Showed improved form to score very easily at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last time. Handicapper has not missed that, putting him up 14lb, but that may not stop him.

Form: 23-01

The Cannister Man^h²⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 124

20/1

Improving performer who came good at Exeter (2m1f, heavy) last time. Yet to race on ground anything like as quick as this, but if he handles it he is very much a player.

Form: 2/FP421-

Whatsforuwontgobyu¹⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

40/1

Dual winner on testing ground in Ireland when with Tony Martin. Also acts on a sound surface. Interesting on his first start since joining this trainer. Market check advised.

Form: 80P/60-P

Haafapiece²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 120| D

13/2

Won by 8L at Worcester (2m, good) in July, when 10lb lower. Best effort since also on a sound surface, but looking exposed now and more needed for another win from this mark.

Form: P313F4

Royal Sunday¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A M Hales| OR: 118| D

12/1

Won a heavy ground maiden hurdle on debut at Hereford (2m) in April. Failed to complete next two starts, but showed improvement when 10L fifth at Lingfield last time (heavy). Not ruled out now he is back on track.

Form: 1F-P5

Hijran³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 115| D

10/1

Broke her duck on her final start of last season (2m½f, soft) at Bangor. Bettered that at Hereford (2m, soft) last time. Up 6lb for that, and claimer can only claim 7lb, rather than 10lb this time, so more needed to follow up.

Form: 6321-41

Ar Mest³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 115| BF| D

3/1

Lingfield maiden hurdle winer (2m, heavy) in February and looked as though he may follow up next time, when falling. Took a step back in the right direction last time at Lingfield. Drops back in trip again and tries fast ground for the first time.

Form: 31F0-93

Percy Street^p1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 113

3/1

Scored on good (2m½f) at Taunton last year, when with Nicky Henderson. Now on a 13-race losing run. Back in better form at the same track (2m3f) last time. Up 1lb, drops in trip and now sports cheekpieces. Not ruled out, but more needed.

Form: 4804-34

Collodi¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: C R Dore| OR: 112| D

33/1

The last of his five hurdles wins came in a Fakenham selling handicap hurdle on his final start for Neil Mulholland in October. Below form in all four starts for this trainer (two Flat, two hurdles). Bit to prove.

Form: 213157

Sparky Stowaway⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber| OR: 110

18/1

Scored at Leopardstown over 2m2f (yielding) on Boxing Day last year, when trained by Thomas Mullins. Out of sorts on reappearance, but may have needed that. Not written off.

Form: 361P3-9

Vincent's Forever^t⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: James Best| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 100| C

50/1

0-5 over hurdles and returns to this code for the first time since summer 2017. Can only watch.

Form: 953P/8-

Forecasts

Ar Mest (3/1), Percy Street (3/1), Antunes (4/1), Haafapiece (13/2), Hijran (10/1), Royal Sunday (12/1), Sparky Stowaway (18/1), The Cannister Man (20/1), Collodi (33/1), Whatsforuwontgobyu (40/1), Vincent's Forever (50/1)

An interesting handicap hurdle where The Cannister Man looks likely to be a leading contender, if handling fast ground, while Hijran, Ar Mest and Sparky Stowaway are others of interest. Check the market with regard to Whatsforuwontgobyu, but preference is for easy Uttoxeter winner ANTUNES, who could be going places.