15:20 Wetherby

Thursday 26 December 2019

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

888Sport Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 4m 17.10s

Dublin Four^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 117

4/1

Yet to win under rules in Britain or Ireland and had looked out of his depth on first two starts for this yard before fine second at Bangor (2m3f) on latest start. High enough opening handicap mark however.

Form: 27-4642

Serious Ego¹⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 113| D

5/1

Soft ground winner for Gordon Elliott at Leopardstown in March but regressed on final three starts for that yard, including 35L defeat at Perth. 2lb well in for this contest however and yard can rejuvenate one.

Form: 580-698

Ilaya^h,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 113| D

7/2

Had been highly tried in handicap company previously but relished the step back in class with 9l success at Newcastle (2m) on latest start. Up 9lb for that but has useful claimer on board. Respected.

Form: 63-9061

Xpo Universel^t,v²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 110| D

14/1

Landed three handicap hurdles during the summer of 2018 and didn't take to fences on first start this season before 14L fourth at Sedgefield (2m1f) earlier this month. 3lb down in the weights but still higher than last winning mark.

Form: 1140-74

Show And Go^t¹⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss C R Crane⁽⁷⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 105| D

33/1

Dual winner for Henry De Bromhead in Ireland but seemingly lost his way on these shores and was well held in fourth in 2m selling hurdle on final start for previous yard. Back into deeper company in this.

Form: 060-464

Flamboyant Joyaux³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 102

7/2

Point-to-point winner who has gradually been improving without threatening under rules, including 28L third at Sedgefield (2m4f) in November. On a workable handicap mark but improvement needed.

Form: 2-1833

Let's Sway^t³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 100| D

12/1

Made all to win 2m cleaning hurdle for Olly Murphy last December but not in the same form for two yards since. Latest 35L defeat in similar contest at Musselburgh (2m) leaves a bit to be desired.

Form: 312-P50

Pepper Street^h¹³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Eddie Edge⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 100

25/1

On a losing run since landing flat race in August 2018 and not seen over hurdles since unseating at Huntingdon (2m) in May. Questionable efforts on the level since means he has limited appeal.

Form: 36-4U

Uncle Norman^p1³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 104

6/1

Not the best on first two starts over hurdles over C&D but took a step in the right direction when 3L fourth at Catterick (1m7f) last month. Opening handicap mark is very lenient and could be anything.

Form: 394

Forecasts

Flamboyant Joyaux (7/2), Ilaya (7/2), Dublin Four (4/1), Serious Ego (5/1), Uncle Norman (6/1), Let's Sway (12/1), Xpo Universel (14/1), Pepper Street (25/1), Show And Go (33/1)

Despite being penalised for her recent success, preference is for ILAYA, who bolted up at Newcastle last time and with the help of a 3lb claimer on board, looks well placed to go well once again. Her nearest rival could be the deeply unexposed Uncle Norman, who despite for a mistake early on last time would've like finished closer to his rivals. The likes of Dublin Four and Serious Ego could go well from the top of the weights on recent performances, but both looks to be slightly in the grip of the handicapper at this stage.