13:10 Wetherby

Saturday 7 December 2019

All12:1012:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:25

Sunflower Foundation Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:13 | Winning time: 6m 36.0s

Electron Bleu²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

4/1

Best run since coming from France with a good 5L third of 16 in stronger race at Cheltenham last month over 2m5f. May have been helped by racing wide on the better ground that day and stamina to prove now but can't be dismissed lightly.

Form: F335-63

Dubai Angel²⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 120WS

8/1

Ayr third over 2m4f in March was best effort last term and has been off the track since later that month. Now stepping up in trip but stable having a decent run at present and wind operation since last seen.

Form: 2/99P34-

Lisdoonvarna Lad³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| C

9/2

Sole career win was on only previous visit here in 2017 at 2m but didn't convince with his stamina when upped to 2m7f on latest and others preferred now he tries a slightly longer trip now.

Form: 40F0-57

Presence Felt¹⁸¹

20/1

Veteran who hasn't won since May 2018 but was a good third in this last year. Wind operation since last seen in the summer and has usually needed run after a break.

Form: 6303-26

Article Fifty^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 112

33/1

Made all to win at Market Rasen for Dan Skelton in the summer on good ground but was in the process of running a big race when falling four out on chasing debut last month for new yard. Now back hurdling and should go well.

Form: 70-315F

Blue Hussar²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 111| C

4/1

Regular visitor here at shorter but has looked on occasions as though this longer trip could be a plus. Good third off an absence over 5f shorter last month and if staying should play a leading role.

Form: 4P/534-3

Hastrubal²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 109

7/1

Still a maiden but does have ground in his favour and this thorough stayer ran his best race for current connections when second at Kelso last month. Possibly not for one for win purposes but ability to stay will count for plenty against these.

Form: 264-742

Court Baloo^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Ross Chapman| T: A C Whillans| OR: 104| D

5/1

Has been a revelation of late and completed a four-timer when beating Hastrubal at Kelso last month. Up another 6lb but hard to know where his improvement will stop despite this rise in grade.

Form: 571111

Top Billing²²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 102| D

28/1

Veteran who gained his only win since 2015 when winning a year ago at Carlisle but had a run under his belt then and on all evidence has needed his first run of the campaign so passed over here.

Form: 017050-

Dubh Des Champs^p⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 95| D

14/1

Progressing when scoring at Doncaster a year ago on good ground but off the track until two poor runs on soft ground this autumn and may need to return to a sound surface before reaching peak form.

Form: 9541-70

Non-Runners

Reve²⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: M Keighley J: Patrick Cowley

Forecasts

Blue Hussar (4/1), Electron Bleu (4/1), Lisdoonvarna Lad (9/2), Court Baloo (5/1), Hastrubal (7/1), Dubai Angel (8/1), Reve (10/1), Dubh Des Champs (14/1), Presence Felt (20/1), Top Billing (28/1), Article Fifty (33/1)

COURT BALOO has been transformed since the cheekpieces went back on and although this demands more, it may pay to side with him in his current form. Electron Bleu does have to prove his stamina which has to be a worry but if doing so will be a threat despite his big weight and Hastrubal could again hit the frame with his stamina assured.