15:45 Kempton

Saturday 11 January 2020

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

Download 32Red Casino App Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 3m 57.60s

Ecu De La Noverie²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| D

4/1

Winner at Wetherby in November and ran well at Cheltenham last time until the hill took it's toll in the latter stages; back on a flat track will undoubtedly help him, although there's not a lot of room for error off this mark.

Form: 32-2315

Golden Taipan^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| CD

7/1

C&D winner last time out, a win which has earned him a 3lb rise; still looks to be improving and clearly this track suits, but may want the ground to keep drying out to hold best chance (both wins on good). Yard still among the winners too.

Form: 123151

Never Adapt^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| BF| D

5/4

Only had the three starts so every chance of improvement to come, and did little wrong when third at Cheltenham on handicap debut last month, sticking to the task well for third. This track may be quick enough for him, but looks the one to beat.

Form: 1/3-3

Fransham³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Bargary| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 128| CD

16/1

Three wins from his last five starts and can be forgiven latest blowout at Huntingdon as he lost all chance at the start; previous win at Wetherby has thrown up winners and he will enjoy this speed test, so could easily get back on track.

Form: 211-010

Fin And Game²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 127| BF| D

8/1

Generally consistent, but hard to win with at present, and once again found one too good (when made odds-on) at Haydock last time; handicapper harshly sticks him up 3lb for that, which hardly helps his cause, and others readily preferred.

Form: 652P-32

Beltor^v¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Stephens| OR: 126| CD

15/2

Useful at his peak, and took the Grade 2 Adonis hurdle here as a juvenile; not so good these days but still capable when he gets his conditions and he's now 1lb lower than his last win, so handicapped to do so; dangerous lurker and not discounted.

Form: 84-1994

New Agenda³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: P R Webber| OR: 120| D

50/1

Has generally found life hard over the last few months, tried over both hurdles and fences, and even given a spin on the Flat, all to little reward; coming back to a workable mark but yard struggling for form, and others make more appeal.

Form: 01-44P7

Peruvien Bleu³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: R Chapman| OR: 120| D

66/1

Useful hurdler (if hard to win with) for Nick Williams and these conditions used to bring out the best in him; well beaten on only two starts for this yard but has dropped hints that all is not lost, and off this mark, could be a lively outsider.

Form: 2UF680

Darkest Day²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114

25/1

Makes handicap debut today and this mark looks plenty high enough on what he's achieved so far, although has met some smart sorts along the way; improvement likely but this is a tough little contest.

Form: 3635

Forecasts

Never Adapt (5/4), Ecu De La Noverie (4/1), Golden Taipan (7/1), Beltor (15/2), Fin And Game (8/1), Fransham (16/1), Darkest Day (25/1), New Agenda (50/1), Peruvien Bleu (66/1)

NEVER ADAPT can take the finale, despite a slight reservation about the track. The way he stayed on to grab third behind Repetitio at Cheltenham suggests that a more galloping track will bring out the best in him, but as long as he's ridden prominently, can outstay them on what promises to be tacky ground. Beltor ran a little better last time and might be on the way back to some of his better form, so at a track he likes, could hit the frame. Golden Taipan and Ecu De La Noverie bring some decent form to the table but those wanting a flyer at a big price could do worse than Peruvien Bleu.