Kirby Muxloe Claiming Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 17.5s

Ballyellis^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129| D

4/9

Has built up an excellent record in sellers and claimers under this jockey and has proved himself in handicaps lately with placed efforts here and at Hereford. Versatile trip and ground wise and the pick of the weights returned to this lesser grade.

Form: 121122

Geneva Barracks^p,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: S-J Davies| OR: 119| D

22/1

Won a handicap at Naas a year ago for previous connections but tailed off both runs over fences for current connections. Hard to know what to expect down in class on return to hurdles with tongue-tie and cheekpieces back on.

Form: 0/415-56

Percy⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 122

12/1

Regressing rapidly on the Flat (tailed off after slow start last week) but creditable second to Baracalu in a seller in rare appearance over hurdles on Boxing Day at Market Rasen and an 8lb pull for 2L with that rival so entitled to respect.

Form: 517/68-2

Baracalu^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 116| D

5/2

Well backed when making most to beat Percy at Market Rasen but not sure to confirm form on these revised weights, though the first time cheekpieces helped and not surprisingly they are retained here.

Form: 42/43-31

The Jugopolist^b⁷⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J R Cornwall| OR: 66| C

150/1

Veteran who is normally found in long distance chases and having first run over hurdles since 2015. Hard to make a positive case for.

Form: P736PP

Lope De Loop^h¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: T J Phelan| T: A Sadik| OR: 59

200/1

Poor form at up to 1m on the Flat and a similar story over hurdles. Impossible to fancy having 61lb to find with Ballyellis at the weights.

Form: PP-P6P0

Forecasts

Ballyellis (4/9), Baracalu (5/2), Percy (12/1), Geneva Barracks (22/1), The Jugopolist (150/1), Lope De Loop (200/1)

BALLYELLIS is a rock solid performer in this grade and his recent form in handicaps suggests he is still in top form and can notch his fifth win of the campaign. Baracalu and Percy are closely matched on their Boxing Day run at Market Rasen and they are preferred in that order.