15:45 Kempton

Saturday 12 January 2019

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

Unibet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 3m 50.23s

John Constable^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 139| D

20/1

Smart four-time hurdle winner now 17lb below peak rating and 8lb below last win after a slow start to his 2018 hurdle campaign (unplaced in five). Would have to see hints of a revival before recommending.

Form: 306F08

Oakley²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127| D

9/2

Bumper form now reads well and won first hurdle race last time out in a Ludlow novice where he asserted late on in likable fashion. First handicap here but clearly a horse with potential so one worth serious consideration.

Form: 35-521

Dino Velvet¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 126| D

7/2

Dual hurdle winner beaten 12½L by Eddiemaurice over C&D last time out when fifth of 12. 7lb better off with that rival here but reversal would still require an improved effort.

Form: 051-485

Magic Dancer^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 125| CD

5/1

Progressive last season winning three of final five starts. Started this season with a good second but not really built on it in three subsequent unplaced starts. Now just 1lb higher than last win however so can't be ruled out.

Form: 81-2657

Eddiemaurice¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: J L Flint| OR: 125| CD

4/1

Gained first win for over two years when scoring quite comprehensively over C&D last month. 6lb rise for that makes life tougher but run well in all three career starts here so can expect another bold bid.

Form: 2654-41

Minellaforleisure¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: A M Hales| OR: 120| D

8/1

Moderate strike rate overall and almost three years since most recent win. Midfield in this last year and only placed once since. Fourth last time out a decent effort but still only of minor appeal.

Form: 5-89374

Speed Company^t1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: D A Jacob| T: Ian Williams| OR: 119

7/2

Classy flat performer ran well in last three hurdle starts, placing in all of them. Third at Haydock and Doncaster the last twice since switched to handicaps on very different ground. Mileage in him off this mark and respected.

Form: 46-233

Old Harry Rocks²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 117| D

33/1

Won a seller for Harry Fry in November 2017 but little persuasive evidence in three starts since for this yard beaten a combined 109L. First run after a layoff here and can only recommend a watching brief.

Form: 64186-7

Forecasts

Speed Company (7/2), Dino Velvet (7/2), Eddiemaurice (4/1), Oakley (9/2), Magic Dancer (5/1), Minellaforleisure (8/1), John Constable (20/1), Old Harry Rocks (33/1)

A chance is taken on the unexposed OAKLEY for Philip Hobbs who won nicely at Ludlow last time out in novice company and the decision to switch to a handicap can pay dividends for the prolific Minehead trainer. Eddiemaurice enjoys it here as shown in his recent C&D win so he is certainly a live contender. Speed Company is now running well and remains relatively unexposed over hurdles.