14:00 Wincanton

Thursday 26 December 2019

All12:2012:5513:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Be Wiser Lord Stalbridge Memorial Cup Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:03 | Winning time: 6m 51.4s

Le Boizelo²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 127| C

9/2

Has won on heavy ground before and comes here in form following pleasing 3m success at Sandown last time. Raised 7lb and tackles an extra furlong but should be there or thereabouts.

Form: P86-631

Johanos⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 125

7/1

Won twice in heavy conditions over hurdles last term at up to an extended 2m3f. Still unexposed after just four starts over fences and was running well in National Hunt Chase in March when falling at 17th. Poor run latest but worth a market check.

Form: 11/4F-23

Worthy Farm^b1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125

6/1

Won twice last term over hurdles over around 3m but hasn't shone in two starts in handicap chases this campaign. First-time blinkers now tried and has been eased 3lb since latest sixth of 11 at Exeter.

Form: 1017-76

Cesar Et Rosalie^p1,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122

12/1

Dual h'cap chase winner last term over 3m at Uttoxeter and not disgraced in two starts so far this campaign including when fifth off 15 over C&D three weeks ago. Eased 1lb and wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 15-1F35

Ask The Weatherman^b1²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 122| CD

16/1

First-time blinkers applied after distinctly disappointing first run this term at Bangor-on-Dee last month where dropped away tamely and tailed off. Yard going through lean spell and others are readily preferred.

Form: PP/149-6

Fleminport⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 121| BF

8/1

Has won over hurdles in testing ground but 0-5 over fences and has run poorly both starts so far this season. Steps up to new trip and dropped 2lb since last run but has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 4/624-88

Air Navigator^p1,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: T R George| OR: 120

11/1

Won Ffos Las 2m5f h'cap chase on seasonal return last year and ran well a number of times in defeat after that. Faded from 2 out over C&D last time to finish well beaten. First-time cheekpieces now added and has been dropped 4lb.

Form: 2F36-07

Broadclyst²⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 117

8/1

3-6 in point-to-points. Joined current yard in January running well in Ludlow 3m maiden hurdle on debut and on chasing bow in novice handicap at Chepstow in April. Not seen since and has absence to overcome on first run out of novice company.

Form: 123972-

Pres²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: S Bowen| T: C Gordon| OR: 107| BF

5/1

Handled heavy ground well when winning Lingfield novices handicap chase in November off 4lb lower mark. Fair second back there last month and is at the right end of the weights trying longer trip.

Form: 66-8912

Bermeo^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 104

20/1

4-14 over fences and has won at up to 3m2f. Best efforts have come on fairly decent ground though so heavy conditions may be an issue. Was in touch when unseating at 13th over C&D last time.

Form: 31322U

Findusatgorcombe^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J D Frost| OR: 101| CD

9/1

Scored over C&D in March then won at both Newton Abbot and Exeter this autumn prior to fair fourth over C&D last time off this mark where stayed on well finish. More testing ground here should help and has a squeak getting weight all round.

Form: 456114

Forecasts

Le Boizelo (9/2), Pres (5/1), Worthy Farm (6/1), Johanos (7/1), Broadclyst (8/1), Fleminport (8/1), Findusatgorcombe (9/1), Air Navigator (11/1), Cesar Et Rosalie (12/1), Ask The Weatherman (16/1), Bermeo (20/1)

In receipt of weight from all his rivals, FINDUSATGORCOMBE should go well having finished with a flourish here last time when almost grabbing second. He handles heavy ground and has a sporting chance. Top weight Le Boizelo created a good impression when winning at Sandown recently and this extra furlong looks within his compass. He rates a danger along with Cesar Et Rosalie and Pres. Both Broadclyst and Johanos are not out of it either and are worth noting for any market support.