13:30 Huntingdon

Sunday 8 December 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Fitzdares Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:33 | Winning time: 3m 51.10s

Fransham³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 128| D

9/2

Has won three of his last four starts (all 2m), rising 11lb as a result. Won by 2½L on seasonal return at Wetherby (soft) which was a career best performance. More on his plate here with top-weight but is respected given his upward momentum.

Form: R211-01

Ferrobin¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| CD

15/2

Running consistently well in novice company, winning twice (C&D/Aintree) but the switch to handicapping saw him tailed off at Ascot two weeks ago. He was held-up there in contrast to previous starts and is interesting if reverting to usual tactics.

Form: F-21228

Tea Clipper²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 127| D

7/4

Easy GB point winner. He won a slowly run race at Warwick (2m) on rules debut and built on that to win well at Kempton (2m) four weeks ago. Unexposed on handicap debut; has to be on the shortlist with a high-profile entry later this month.

Form: 1-11

Diamond Gait^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Ned Curtis⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 126| D

11/1

Highly tried last couple of starts, both in Graded/Listed company and will find this easier; saying that, she's not progressing at present and does need to get back on track. Trip and likely ground both fine.

Form: 8/1410-5

Magic Dancer^p,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 126| D

7/1

Didn't manage to get his head in front last season but produced a number of creditable efforts. First start since wind surgery when finishing fourth at Newbury (2m½f) last month, beaten 2¾L. Likely to give his running again; has an each-way squeak.

Form: 7223-64

Havana Hermano²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 125| D

13/2

Won at Fakenham (2m) in January and then ran well when a close enough third the time after; might have found the ground against him at Cheltenham two runs ago but still ran well. Disappointing over C&D last time, however (beaten 24L).

Form: 13F-355

New Agenda^p1⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber| OR: 123| CD

25/1

Won at Ludlow (2m) last November off 1lb lower but has been mostly out of form over jumps since then, both hurdles and fences. Well beaten on the Flat at Kempton (1m4f) on Wednesday and is readily passed over. Cheekpieces added.

Form: P01-44P

Chelsea Flyer¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

50/1

Returned from a 15-month break over C&D two weeks ago when beating just one rival and being beaten 37L. That was his first start for connections but this is arguably more competitive and is best watched for now.

Form: 50/35F-8

Farmer Boy²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: C R Dore| OR: 115

25/1

Fairly consistent throughout the Summer but although making the frame, he didn't match his previous efforts dropped into a seller at Taunton (2m3f, good) recently. Has joined a new yard but likely to find this company beyond him.

Form: 452253

Hallings Comet⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: M Goldstein| T: S Lycett| OR: 115| D

33/1

Likeable individual who has across all codes, including twice this year at Worcester (2m). Ran creditably when fourth at Cheltenham (2m½f) six weeks ago but has never won right-handed and isn't improving. Others preferred.

Form: 124174

Great Hall³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Quinn| OR: 115| CD

25/1

Useful perfomer at his best on the Flat and has a couple of fair hurdle runs on his CV too but has been badly out of form this year. Offered a little more when second, beaten 17L, in C&D claimer last time and would be a surprise winner.

Form: 438/29-2

Forecasts

Tea Clipper (7/4), Fransham (9/2), Havana Hermano (13/2), Magic Dancer (7/1), Ferrobin (15/2), Diamond Gait (11/1), Great Hall (25/1), New Agenda (25/1), Farmer Boy (25/1), Hallings Comet (33/1), Chelsea Flyer (50/1)

A decent handicap hurdle with those in the top half of the weights likely to dominate. The race revolves around the unbeaten TEA CLIPPER. He has improved with each start and his opening mark of 127 may underestimate his ability whilst his entry in a Grade 3 at Ascot later this in notable. With Harry Skelton now back in the saddle and a return to more positive tactics, Ferrobin is highly respected having ran well here before whilst Magic Dancer is a consistent individual and can make the frame for a yard who are now in better form.