15:20 Hereford

Wednesday 25 November 2020

All12:0512:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:2015:50

Cotswold Hereford Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 41.50s

Garrane^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 117

9/1

Ended last season out of sorts but step back in the right direction when third at Chepstow on return. Not sure to build on that, however.

Form: 2/737P-3

Eclair De Guye^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 117| BF

7/2

Ended last campaign with a win and looked better than ever after a breathing operation when second at Fontwell on return. Solid claims if he can back that up.

Form: 16P51-2

Elan De Balme^p1³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 117

11/2

Fairly useful chaser in France though made a low-key start for new yard towards the end of last season. Much more like it when third on comeback at Ffos Las on return. Back up in trip and headgear on.

Form: 22F77-3

Perform^p,t1¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 116

66/1

Useful hurdler/chaser at his best for Philip Hobbs but obviously had his problems and offered little on first outing since leaving Philip Hobbs after 18 months off here 2 weeks ago. Tongue tied.

Form: 433P/P-6

Tintern Theatre²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Savage⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 115

7/1

Very lightly raced in recent years and well held both starts this season despite reduced mark.

Form: 0784/0U

Cuban Pete²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R T Dunne| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115| C

4/1

Won first-time out last season and all out to make a winning return again at Stratford last month. Came clear of the third that day so respected despite 5 lb rise.

Form: 12454-1

Holly James²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 115

25/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who was a good second in big-field handicap at Warwick (21f, heavy) on final start last season but made an inauspicious start over fences here on return.

Form: 81F72-P

Special Acceptance⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber| OR: 115

11/2

Fairly useful maiden handicap hurdler. Off 8 months, shaped as if needing the run on chase bow at Huntingdon.

Form: 3PU94-5

Stormy Milan^t⁵⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 110

18/1

Very much a chaser on looks and duly built on chase bow to win at Huntingdon (23.6f), asserting final 50 yds. Good second at Fontwell sole start last season but has been off for 18 months.

Form: 59441/2-

Stay Out Of Court^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: A Wintle| OR: 105

25/1

Dual point winner but well held back under Rules both starts this season.

Form: 221/6-55

Clondaw Rigger^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 102| CD

10/1

Dual winner at up to 25f in 2018 who was more miss than hit during winless 2019/20 season. However, creditable second on return at Ffos Las and better than bare result at Newton Abbot since.

Form: 3P54-24

Forecasts

Eclair De Guye (7/2), Cuban Pete (4/1), Elan De Balme (11/2), Special Acceptance (11/2), Tintern Theatre (7/1), Garrane (9/1), Clondaw Rigger (10/1), Stormy Milan (18/1), Stay Out Of Court (25/1), Holly James (25/1), Perform (66/1)

ELAN DE BALME ran his best race for this yard when third at Ffos Las on return and probably has more to offer still given his form in France. This does look competitive though, with Clondaw Rigger, Eclair de Guye and Cuban Pete having all made positive starts to the season.