14:10 Hereford

Thursday 19 December 2019

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

Cotswold Hereford Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 18.6s

Espion De Saflo¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120

16/1

Progressed well over hurdles in France winning at Nantes on his last start in that country. Hasn't been in anything like the same form in GB since joining this yard and they have yet to find the key to him; fell on his last start at Plumpton.

Form: 4144-4F

Saint De Vassy¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: T Symonds| OR: 120

4/1

Despite not winning over hurdles he did progress quite nicely throughout last year. Didn't live up to that promise at all when looking amiss for his chasing debut at Chepstow (3m). Now drops markedly in trip with questions to answer.

Form: 3232-3P

Grania O'Malley^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 119| D

8/1

Off the mark over fences at the fourth attempt beating one who won three subsequent races. Shaped well twice since off a break without winning especially last time out in novice company; a return to handicaps should suit her well, still well weighted

Form: 462123

Billingsley¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: L Treadwell| T: A Ralph| OR: 117| D

7/2

Dual novice hurdle winner in deep ground who ran better than his unseated rider form figure last time at Bangor. Jumped well for the most part but tired off a break, coming to grief two out; handily weighted on his hurdles form back to 2m.

Form: 11/504-U

Corri Lindo^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: L Heard| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 115

20/1

Fell at the last on his most recent start when ridden in very tender fashion (first start back from a wind op). Certainly fared better than he had on his previous runs for this yard post a wind procedure; still to win a race under Rules though.

Form: 062-4PF

Big Nick²³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 113

3/1

There was promise in some of his efforts in maiden hurdles when trained in Ireland although he did run poorly when making his handicap debut in the spring at Punchestown. Now makes his stable/chase/Gb debut; rather an unknown quantity.

Form: 2/453-0

Arian^p,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: R T Dunne| T: J L Flint| OR: 110| D

8/1

Winning hurdler who ended last season out of form even after some wind surgery. Would have needed the run on her comeback after nine months off; now makes her chase debut, should handle the ground and on a career-low mark if she handles fences.

Form: 39245-6

Balgemmois⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: A Stronge| OR: 109| D

7/2

Well supported when returning from 19 months off a Warwick only to see his hopes crash and burn when falling at the first. Will be interesting to see if his supporters give him another chance, this looks a deeper contest than the one at Warwick.

Form: 1458/5-F

Forecasts

Big Nick (3/1), Billingsley (7/2), Balgemmois (7/2), Saint De Vassy (4/1), Arian (8/1), Grania O'Malley (8/1), Espion De Saflo (16/1), Corri Lindo (20/1)

Quite an interesting little contest and one that should see Grania O’Malley in the thick of things with a return to handicaps looking to suit and her stable at last seemingly finding their form this season. Espion De Saflo and Saint De Vassy look two similar types in that they ought to be able to win over fences but both come here with questions to answer after their latest outings. BILLINGSLEY ran far better than the U in his form figures suggests last time paying the price for trying to go with two smart sorts his hurdles form came on deep ground and he’ll appreciate the move back to 2m. Balgemmois is worth another glance in the betting after last time as is Corri Lindo.