13:20 Hereford

Wednesday 2 January 2019

All12:5013:2013:5514:3015:0015:30

MansionBet Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 6m 45.2s

Royals And Rebels^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 102

10/1

Won at Fontwell in May 3m2f on decent ground off 1lb higher ten today then struggled after. Some promise last time though and not out of it off a competitive mark.

Form: FPP556

Abbeygrey^p⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 99

12/1

Last success came at Newton Abott 3m2f in September 2017. Mostly moderate form since although was second of four in Ludlow handicap chase on penultimate start. Poor effort over C&D last time though.

Form: PP97-26

Knight Ofthe Realm⁶³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 97| D

12/1

Broke long losing run when winning last time out at Fontwell in April off 1lb lower mark. Not seen since and makes debut for new yard. Usually needs a run or two to blow the cobwebs away.

Form: P2FFP1/

Eaton Miller²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 83

10/3

12-race maiden but ran some fair races over hurdles without getting his head in front. Chase debut last time Huntingdon and shaped well finishing second over nearly 3m. Runs off same mark so should be competitive once again.

Form: 7-23352

Quinto^p,t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 83| D

9/1

Only win in 30 starts came in Catterick staying novice hurdle three years ago. 0-11 over fences but placed six times and probably found heavy ground against him when pulled up last time out. Eased 1lb but hard to see him scoring.

Form: 6PP24P

What Larks^b¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Tom Cheesman⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr J R J Naylor| OR: 78

6/1

Sole victory in 29 outings came in Chepstow novice handicap chase on heavy ground in March 2016. Running well enough at present and second in two of last three starts. Any rain would help the cause.

Form: 35-5225

Georgina Joy^b,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Tom Buckley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 77| C

3/1

Placed twice over fences last summer but has been hurdling since winning over timber here at this trip in November. Feasibly handicapped and rider's 10lb claim gives her very little weight so shouldn't be at all far away.

Form: 238124

Shanann Star^p¹⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-4| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: G F Edwards| OR: 77| D

9/1

Won over this trip in soft ground at Wincanton in February 2017 but on a long losing run since. Very much in veteran stage and would probably appreciate a little more give in the ground.

Form: 3426-35

Some Finish^b¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 75

20/1

Four-time winner whose last success came at Towcester in November 2017. Pulled up on both starts this term and looks woefully out of form on recent evidence.

Form: P43-6PP

Ballydarsi^b1,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Jamie Bargary| T: M Sheppard| OR: 69

14/1

Four runs under Rules for current yard, running best race last time when third off lowly mark at Uttoxeter. First-time blinkers applied and may not be far away despite being 4lb out fo the handicap.

Form: 0-3P763

Black Jack Jaxon^b1,t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 64

33/1

Yet to reach a place in 10 career starts and has been tailed off on each of his last three starts giving little confidence that he can surprise here from 9lb wrong at the weights. Wears first-time blinkers.

Form: 2-2F500

Forecasts

Georgina Joy (3/1), Eaton Miller (10/3), What Larks (6/1), Quinto (9/1), Shanann Star (9/1), Royals And Rebels (10/1), Abbeygrey (12/1), Knight Ofthe Realm (12/1), Ballydarsi (14/1), Some Finish (20/1), Black Jack Jaxon (33/1)

EATON MILLER shaped with promise when runner-up on his first start over fences at Huntingdon last time and has more going for him than most of his rivals in a moderate staying handicap chase. Despite the steadier of top weight Royals And Rebels is very much respected as too is Georgina Joy, while at the other end of the handicap Ballydarsi is not without a chance either. What Larks is another who may not be too far away when push comes to shove.