14:40 Wincanton

Saturday 4 January 2020

All12:3013:0513:3514:0514:4015:1515:50

BoyleSports This Is Betting Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 28.10s

Sir Ivan^p1,t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 130

16/1

Failed to finish in two starts since returning from a break including when pulled up over 2m4f on good-to-soft ground here in November. Worth a check in the market with cheekpieces tried for the first time.

Form: P28-3UP

Silver Kayf³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ned Curtis⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125| D

13/2

Well beaten 13th in a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f at Newbury (good-to-soft) at the end of November. Market support would be notable with the trip and forecast going both in his favour.

Form: 573-440

Rootless Tree³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 123

13/2

Returning from a short break when registering a first hurdles success at the second time of asking in a novice event over an extended 1m7f at Leicester (heavy) a month ago. Step up in trip looks likely to suit on handicap debut.

Form: 15-41

Vodka All The Way²⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 120WS

25/1

Well beaten 39L last of seven in a novices' handicap chase over 3m at Exeter (soft) last March. Cheekpieces worn for the first time that day are absent returning to hurdles on debut for this yard.

Form: 21/6U07-

Maypole Class³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119

9/2

Built on a couple of solid placed efforts when winning over an extended 2m3f at Lingfield (heavy) early last month. Raised 7lb for that victory and remains open to improvement stepping up in distance.

Form: 207-321

Horse Force One⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117

14/1

Dual bumper winner in 2017 was returning from over two years off the track when finishing 13L third in a 2m1f maiden hurdle at Exeter (good) in October. Worth a check in the market stepping up in trip on handicap debut.

Form: 41113/3

Merry Milan⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Alan Johns| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 117

7/1

Failed to build on a promising 7L second over an extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter (soft) in October in two subsequent outings including in a first time visor (absent here) over 2m5f at Ludlow (soft) in November. Others make more appeal.

Form: 730-206

Alcock And Brown¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 117

100/1

Lightly-raced last year and was making his debut for this yard when pulling up over an extended 2m5f at Ascot (heavy) last time out. Well handicapped on his old form but best form has come on ground quicker than is forecast.

Form: 611-P0P

Nifty At Fifty³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 117| CD

2/1

Off the mark at the 13th time of asking when winning over C&D in a novices' handicap hurdle on good ground a month ago. Softer ground forecast no issue and holds strong claims despite a 7lb rise in the weights.

Form: 4-20U21

Invincible Cave^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: C Gordon| OR: 116

50/1

Handicap mark is plummeting following some moderate efforts since joining this stable including when 79L ninth over this trip at Ascot (heavy) last month. Others make more appeal.

Form: 355P09

Finula^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J G O'Neill| OR: 113

20/1

Victorious over an extneded 2m3f at Huntingdon (good) last May. Decent debut for this yard when 14L third at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) in November on his only subsequent start and market support would be notable in this race.

Form: 5U6P/13

Forecasts

Nifty At Fifty (2/1), Maypole Class (9/2), Silver Kayf (13/2), Rootless Tree (13/2), Merry Milan (7/1), Horse Force One (14/1), Sir Ivan (16/1), Finula (20/1), Vodka All The Way (25/1), Invincible Cave (50/1), Alcock And Brown (100/1)

ROOTLESS TREE looks likely to appreciate the step up in distance here and he can make a winning handicap debut by regsitering a victory in this competitive handicap hurdle. Maypole Class was a winner last time out and he can claim second on his first attempt at this distance. Third place can go to Horse Force One who is making his handicap debut.