15:35 Kempton

Friday 27 December 2019

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:35

Ladbrokes Football 'Acca-Boosty' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 4m 0.0s

Linger¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: W T Kennedy| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 135| D

40/1

Formerly trained in Ireland by Joseph O'Brien - landing Cork handicap hurdle (2m3f) on last start for him - but unseated early on stable debut at Doncaster (2m3f) this month. Hard to judge but this looks tough.

Form: 57-1F1U

Elusive Belle^h²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

5/4

Ended last season winning at Warwick (2m) and by no means disgraced when third at Newbury (2m) on seasonal debut. French Crusader was second that day but better treated this time. Respected.

Form: 21201-3

Brandon Castle⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 132| D

12/1

Exuberant sort who was pitched into top level company last season. Terribly out of form this term though and latest no show at Huntingdon (2m) requires a bounce back.

Form: 111P8-P

Chance A Tune²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129

8/1

Lightly-raced four-year-old who has improved with each start to date, including 9L third in strong-looking Aintree novice hurdle (2m1f) this month. This is deeper but given likeable mark for handicap debut.

Form: 2-23

Beltor^v³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens| OR: 128| CD

20/1

Was a Grade 2 winner in his pomp but largely out of form since, including when beaten 56L in 2m Ascot handicap hurdle in November. Needs a great bounce back but likes this track.

Form: 184-199

American Gigolo^h,t⁵¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 126| BF| CD

6/1

C&D winner in the past but hasn't been seen over hurdles since finishing third at Ascot (2m) in November 2017. Has won on the flat since but contends with mammoth layoff.

Form: 1U2712/

Ferrobin¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

11/1

Progressive sort as a novice last season but struggled in two starts this term, including well-held eighth at Huntingdon (2m) this month. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 212288

Miranda⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| D

12/1

Dual winner at Ludlow and Wincanton earlier in the year but blown out since. Latest last of eight at Sandown (2m) leaves a fair bit to be desired.

Form: 11P-8

Eddiemaurice⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: J E Moore| T: J L Flint| OR: 120| CD

5/1

C&D winner last season who ended that term with victory at Ascot (2m1f) but made poor return when 31L sixth at Huntingdon (2m) last month. Dropped 2lb but needs more.

Form: 432U1-6

Vlannon^v³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: M Goldstein| T: M Madgwick| OR: 115| CD

40/1

Shock C&D winner last term but not offered much hope since, including when pulling up over 3m here last time out. Makes limited appeal off current handicap mark.

Form: 4P414-P

Non-Runners

French Crusader²⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Golden Taipan³²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: F O'Brien J: C Brace

Forecasts

Elusive Belle (5/4), French Crusader (9/4), Eddiemaurice (5/1), American Gigolo (6/1), Golden Taipan (7/1), Chance A Tune (8/1), Ferrobin (11/1), Miranda (12/1), Brandon Castle (12/1), Beltor (20/1), Vlannon (40/1), Linger (40/1)

A trappy-looking contest to end proceedings, preference is for the relatively unexposed FRENCH CRUSADER, who was last seen finishing behind yesterday's impressive Christmas Hurdle winner Epatante. That form sets a considerable standard and he may be the pattern-race horse racing in a handicap. Elusive Belle was one place back in third in that respectable race and should give another bold account of herself with a mares allowance, while Chance A Tune and Golden Taipan remain incredibly unexposed and are weighted on nice handicap marks.