15:00 Hereford

Wednesday 2 January 2019

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

MansionBet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 35.4s

Wishicould³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 122

8/1

Won Newbury 3m handicap hurdle in March 2017 in good style but only two races since. Latest start came after 21 absence but shaped well before getting tired after 2 out. Should be sharper now and has fair claims despite top weight.

Form: 43212/3

Western Wave¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 122| CD

9/2

Stayed on well to scored over C&D last time but has been handed an 8lb rise and will do well to follow up. Clearly in good shape though and may not be at all far away.

Form: 3-P6231

Robert's Star^p⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 119

16/1

Last four starts over fences, winning once, and last hurdles success came at Exeter in February off a 10lb lower mark. Not obviously well handicapped.

Form: 12-1436

Frankie Rapper^p,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

6/1

Stayed on gamely at Worcester in May to land narrow success and failed by just a neck to win last time at Uttoxeter off 9lb higher mark. Raised 4lb and step back up in trip should help but may be in handicapper's grip.

Form: 30-1622

Present Times²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 116

14/1

Rattled off a hat-trick in spring 2017 and not beaten far when fourth at Fontwell last April. In touch until weakened 3 out on seasonal return and should strip fitter here off 1lb lower mark.

Form: 1/12P4-6

Rosemary Russet^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 116

9/2

Runner-up on three of last five starts including last time when beaten a neck at Taunton off 4lb lower mark. Finds winning quite a challenge but won't be far away given recent evidence.

Form: 52-2762

Chase End Charlie^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 115

6/1

Taken time to see the benefits of summer wind surgery but ran better when keeping on to be second at Market Rasen (2m4f) last time out. Up 1lb but stable in decent form and should be thereabouts if he sees it out.

Form: 56/7P42

Cougar Kid¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 114| C

12/1

8lb worng at the weights but ran a solid third here last time over 2m3f. Big step up in trip this time but runs off his correct mark. Question though over ability to stay this much longer trip.

Form: 523233

Gardiners Hill^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 104| BF| C| D

6/1

Won two staying handicap chases at Ludlow in November and connections tried to take advantge of lower hurdles mark soon after but could only finish third. Well beaten favourite over fences last time and others make rather more appeal.

Form: P-21135

Late Shipment^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 104| CD

8/1

Won three times over C&D in winter of 2017 but has rarely been competitive since having been hit hard by the handicapper. eased 4lb since last start and may now been approaching a feasible mark so wouldn't surprise to see an improved effort.

Form: F573-66

Forecasts

Western Wave (9/2), Rosemary Russet (9/2), Gardiners Hill (6/1), Chase End Charlie (6/1), Frankie Rapper (6/1), Late Shipment (8/1), Wishicould (8/1), Cougar Kid (12/1), Present Times (14/1), Robert's Star (16/1)

In a tightly knit handicap the bottom weight LATE SHIPMENT is a cautious suggestion. He's won over C&D three times in the past and has finally fallen to a feasible handicap mark. Top weight Wishicould will be sharper for his seasonal return and is respected, as too are Present Times and recent course winner Western Wave. Both Frankie Rapper and Chase End Charlie could also figure.