14:55 Hereford

Saturday 14 December 2019

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Green Dragon Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 52.80s

Volcano²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 115

7/1

Debuting for this yard when finishing 15½L seventh in a competitive 2m5f handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (soft) last month. Worth a check in the market off a 2lb lower mark.

Form: 25322-7

The Wallace Line²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 112

66/1

Sole success from 24 starts to date came in a three-year-old hurdle at Fontwell (good) in October 2014. Market support would be notable following two disappointing efforts since joining this stable.

Form: 2636/00

Call Me Sid^b1,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: J Mason| OR: 109

14/1

Returning from wind surgery when finishing 18L second in a 3m handicap hurdle at Southwell (soft) earlier this month. Blinkers (first time) are added to the tongue tie worn for the first time that day.

Form: P386-02

North Star Oscar^h,t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 109| BF

9/2

Winner of two of his last four starts most recently a 3m1f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (good-to-soft) last month. Good 8L second dropping to 2m5f at Ludlow (soft) two days later and is one to note following a 5lb rise in the weights.

Form: 641312

Buster Edwards^b1,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: D Pipe| OR: 109| D

25/1

Failed to figure in two starts since returning from wind surgery including when 43L tenth over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (soft) last time out. Blinkers (first time) replace the cheekpieces worn in recent starts.

Form: 4-13380

Another Frontier^h⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Dave Crosse| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 108

16/1

Disappointed towards the end of last season but showed up better when finishing 18L third over 3m1f at Huntingdon (good) on sesonal debut in October. Given a break since and is an interesting runner having won off higher marks in the past.

Form: PPP7P-3

Landofsmiles²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Johns| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 108

11/2

11 race maiden was beaten 7L when finishing fifth over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (soft) last time out. Market support would be notable stepping up in trip.

Form: 7623-05

Our Rockstar¹⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 107

25/1

Twice a winner over hurdles including over an extended 2m4f at Plumpton (good) in April. Well beaten at Stratford (2m6f, good) on her most recent start and needs to return to form if she's to take this contest on her return from a break.

Form: 011-269

Jully Les Buxy^b,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 107

11/1

Promising seasonal reappearance when finishing 6L fifth in a 3m1f mares' handicap hurdle at Plumpton (soft) earlier this month. Blinkers worn for the first time that day are retained.

Form: P229U-5

Little Boy Boru¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 104

28/1

Put an unseat at Cheltenham behind him when finishing 26L third at Southwell (3m, soft) earlier this month. Races off a 3lb lower mark here but is probably best watched at present.

Form: 15U-5U3

Master Tradesman^p⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 102

3/1

Winner of two point-to-point races but is a nine race maiden under Rules. Good neck second in a good ground C&D handicap hurdle at the start of last month and is one to note despite a 2lb rise in the weights.

Form: 5P6P3-2

Late Shipment^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 102| CD

10/1

Vicotorious three times over this C&D and is improving with racing this campaign finishing 7¾L sixth over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow (soft) last time out. Worth a check in the market off a mark 2lb higher than for his most recent success.

Form: 6815-66

Steel Native^h¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: D A Rees| OR: 100

40/1

Pulled up at Ffos Las (3m, soft) last month on his return from a break and was beaten 22L over an extended 3m1f in a handicap chase at the same venue later that month. Others make more appeal on return to hurdles.

Form: P15-FP5

Cottonvale⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 96

66/1

Handicap mark is falling following some moderate efforts of late including when beaten 47L over an extneded 2m5f at Wincanton (good) earlier this month. Step back up in distnace no issue.

Form: 35F050

Forecasts

Master Tradesman (3/1), North Star Oscar (9/2), Landofsmiles (11/2), Volcano (7/1), Late Shipment (10/1), Jully Les Buxy (11/1), Call Me Sid (14/1), Another Frontier (16/1), Buster Edwards (25/1), Our Rockstar (25/1), Little Boy Boru (28/1), Steel Native (40/1), The Wallace Line (66/1), Cottonvale (66/1)

MASTER TRADESMAN registered his best recent effort when runner-up last time and he can go one better by registering a first victory under Rules in this competitive staying handicap hurdle. North Star Oscar has been in good form this campaign and he can claim second place ahead of Another Frontier who is well handicapped on his old form.