16:35 Wincanton

Saturday 16 February 2019

All13:1013:4514:2015:0015:3016:0516:3517:10

Read Richard Johnson On Betway Blog Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:37 | Winning time: 5m 17.70s

Eragon De Chanay^v⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: N F Houlihan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 133

13/2

Three-time hurdles winner, all on softish ground. Also close third over 2m4f here on good ground in November, is rated just 4lb higher for this contest and deserves consideration.

Form: 2-P1373

Dan McGrue^t³⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

11/2

Improved last year and ran out a ready winner from consistent type at Taunton when last seen. However, that was over a year ago, and handicapper has had his say now (up 17lb), so has new questions to answer. Let the market guide.

Form: 11/4411-

Penn Lane⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| DWS

10/1

A promising career has been punctuated by various spells of inactivity; game short-head winner on his seasonal return at Ffos Las (2m6f, soft) in November. Well held off this mark at Kempton since, has undergone wind surgery since.

Form: 3F1/2-19

The Eaglehaslanded^b,t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131

13/2

Hasn't won for some time now and hasn't been the easiest to train seemingly. Has run well in pair of competitive 3m Cheltenham handicaps most recently and worth another go back down in trip (2m4f winner previously).

Form: 6/P-0573

Myplaceatmidnight³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: M D Grant| T: N B King| OR: 130| CD

9/2

Couldn't have won much easier when making virtually all over C&D last time out, could be called winner some way out and so 9lb rise fully justified. Every chance of following up if in the same form today.

Form: 43-2341

Peak To Peak⁴⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129| D

13/2

Lightly-raced sort, third in the valuable Silver Trophy when last seen but that was back in October 2017. Had issues since then and it remains to be seen what ability remains, but a very interesting candidate here if fit.

Form: 73511/3-

Sleep Easy^b³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129| CD

12/1

Failed to win last season although only had the three starts. Competitive this term in handicaps at Newton Abbot and Stratford, before being comprehensively beaten in stronger races at Newbury and Kempton. Eased in grade now.

Form: 3-43280

Townshend^t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Joe Anderson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127WS

12/1

Potentially nicely handicapped on best form for Willie Mullins, showed a bit more for new yard when fourth at Hereford last time and has undergone wind surgery since, which may help. Trip fine and too well handicapped to rule out.

Form: 9-53664

Show On The Road^h⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 126| BF

15/2

Revelled in soft ground in scoring twice over hurdles at Exeter last season and ran as well as could be expected on chase debut there in November (2m3f, good) before falling latest. High enough in ratings back over timber (has run well here before).

Form: 318-43F

Doubly Clever⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: M Blake| OR: 126

16/1

Returned from a 470-day absence with an encouraging effort to be 8L third at Exeter (2m2½f, heavy) last month. Stays at least 2m4f and acts on any ground, so remains of interest.

Form: 11423-3

Dark Episode⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 119| D

12/1

Leicester novice hurdle winner in November (2m4½f, good to firm) but flopped over this C&D early last month on handicap debut and something to prove with mark left alone. Still early days however.

Form: 331P

Forecasts

Myplaceatmidnight (9/2), Dan McGrue (11/2), Eragon De Chanay (13/2), The Eaglehaslanded (13/2), Peak To Peak (13/2), Show On The Road (15/2), Penn Lane (10/1), Townshend (12/1), Sleep Easy (12/1), Dark Episode (12/1), Doubly Clever (16/1)

ERAGON DE CHANAY has been consistent of late and gets on well with this rider. He made the frame here in November and, having twice raced over 2m at Sandown since, is perhaps being underestimated in the betting now returned to this distance. He can outrun his price. Cases can be made for many, with The Eaglehaslanded worth a try down in distance and a 9lb rise far from certain to halt C&D winner Myplaceatmidnight. Dan Mcgrue, Peak To Peak and Townshend must be noted for market moves, the latter having dropped to a good rating and the former pair returning from absences with clear hopes if fit enough.