14:45 Wetherby

Thursday 26 December 2019

All11:5512:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

888Sport Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 54.20s

Teescomponents Lad³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Boanas| OR: 128| CD

7/1

Three-time scorer over intermediate trips with cut in the ground. Hasn't returned in the best of form this season however and will need to improve on recent 9L fifth at Market Rasen (2m7f).

Form: 141-455

Kingofthecotswolds³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128

14/1

Sole win came in 2m maiden hurdle last season and tried over fences this season, finishing third at Ludlow (2m) before falling at that track last time out. Back over hurdles for this but work to do off current rating.

Form: 124-93F

Young Bull¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: L P Aspell| T: H Whittington| OR: 127| CD

9/4

Making fine progress this season, winning at Ffos Las on penultimate start before making it two on the bounce over C&D earlier this month. Only raised 3lb which leaves him on a dangerous mark.

Form: 315-311

Dubai Angel¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 126| C

9/2

Looked to have struggled off higher handicap marks last season but made the perfect return this term with stylish success over 3m here earlier this month. 6lb rise suggests the handicapper is taking no chances however.

Form: 99P34-1

Ozzy Thomas³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 123

8/1

Best form has come on good ground but ran a fine race last time out when third in 2m5f Cheltenham handicap hurdle. That race usually works out well but up 5lb for that effort.

Form: P/2655-2

Skipthescales^p²⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 123| C

33/1

A dual winner over 3m last season over fences but finished that campaign with good second over hurdles here (3m) in March. Not seen since and tends to need his first run. Debut for this yard.

Form: 3/01162-

Eaton Hill^t⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 122| C

13/2

Good fifth behind Paisley Park in injury-hit campaign last year and returned to the track after 11 months off with 16L seventh at Stratford (2m6f) in October. Down 4lb so is being given a chance in the weights.

Form: 632/65-7

Rare Clouds²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 112

4/1

A slow burner who is starting to improve and put up best performance when third in 2m Newcastle maiden hurdle last time. Back up in trip but runs off featherweight opening handicap mark.

Form: 6-643

Applaus^p³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 108| C

33/1

Falling down the weights as of late but failed to produce on last two starts, including pulling up at Hexham (2m) on latest start. Dropped 1lb but more is required at this level.

Form: P-8324P

Forecasts

Young Bull (9/4), Rare Clouds (4/1), Dubai Angel (9/2), Eaton Hill (13/2), Teescomponents Lad (7/1), Ozzy Thomas (8/1), Kingofthecotswolds (14/1), Skipthescales (33/1), Applaus (33/1)

YOUNG BULL has taken leaps and bounds since being defeated here in October and relished the cut in the ground with his success here last time. The handicapper is treating him lightly currently so it may pay dividends to keep on side until he gets in the grip of the handicapper. Rare Clouds may have failed to get his head in front so far but his trainer usually thrives with these type of horses in handicap company, while the likes of Ozzy Thomas and Dubai Angel have been penalised for their fine efforts last time out, which is off-putting.