12:40 Hereford

Friday 3 January 2020

All12:4013:1013:4014:1514:4515:2015:55

Happy New Year From MansionBet Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 5m 25.9s

Lady Chartreuse³⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 100

14/1

Lingfield second in December 2018 on heavy a sign of promise but she couldn't match that subsequently at Chepstow and now has to overcome a 361-day absence on handicap debut. All that said this yard's returnees almost always ready so not overlooked.

Form: 6/P727-

Enry Iggins²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: R Walford| OR: 100

4/1

Former point-to-point winner showed signs of life when sixth beaten just over 16L over C&D latest on soft. Must take another step forward now on handicap debut.

Form: 21-006

Flying Garry¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: D A Rees| OR: 100

10/1

First race away from Ffos Las where he showed significant improvement last time in finishing second (2m, heavy). That form puts him in the mix and with further improvement possible and longer trip no issue he's high on the shortlist today.

Form: P2-P852

Butler's Brief²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 100

13/8

Just behind Enry Iggins when a 50/1 seventh over C&D last month. Looks the sort to do better now handicapping but can't exactly see this opening mark as a gift.

Form: 977

M' Lady May²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Price| T: Katy Price| OR: 95

25/1

Big prices and yet to get competitive in novice hurdles and a prior bumper so far. Handicaps now will make or break her but not seen enough to recommend more than a watching brief.

Form: 86-6850

Irska^t1¹³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Hicks⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 93

9/1

Beaten 30L plus in his three qualifiers and those combined with his ordinary point-to-point profile suggest him best watched although the first-time tongue-tie could help.

Form: 53-475

Little Rich²⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 92

11/1

Went close in a Fontwell match race last March but well held since in bigger field handicaps. Mark sliding now as a result but step forward needed after the break.

Form: 74328-6

Witchdoctor^h¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 82

50/1

Well beaten 35L seventh in a 2m maiden hurdle at Ffos Las (heavy) earlier this month. Needs to improve markedly on what he's shown so far if he is to take this event.

Form: 9U-UP77

Bindon Lane^p,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Reed| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 80

7/1

25L fifth of 15 at Exeter on handicap debut (2m2½f) represented a sign of promise for the future. Must step up again on that here but place hopes now boosted at least.

Form: 009-P5

Asking A Lot^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane Quinlan| T: G Harris| OR: 74

20/1

Scored in a point-to-point at Oldcastle (3m) in May 2018, however, she has struggled in four starts under Rules, including last time when she was seventh of eight at Lingfield (2m3½f). Needs to improve on handicap debut.

Form: 3/1P7-U7

Forecasts

Butler's Brief (13/8), Enry Iggins (4/1), Bindon Lane (7/1), Irska (9/1), Flying Garry (10/1), Little Rich (11/1), Lady Chartreuse (14/1), Asking A Lot (20/1), M' Lady May (25/1), Witchdoctor (50/1)

In a very weak contest FLYING GARRY looks the most likely winner on the back of his second last time out under a bold ride at Ffos Las. Venetia Williams returnees almost always show close to peak form on return and at her local track where she boasts a 31 per cent strike rate this season Lady Chartreuse looks a big threat. Enry Iggins may prove best of the rest.