15:38 Fontwell

Tuesday 8 December 2020

All12:3513:0513:3514:0814:3815:0815:38

John And Maryanne Birch Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 4m 56.37s

Highway One²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-4| J: R Johnson| T: George Baker| OR: 102

16/1

Modest maiden on Flat and similar level over hurdles, finishing fourth of 8 in 2m Lingfield handicap last month. Runner-up the sole previous occasion she was partnered by Richard Johnson.

Form: 53284

Hier Encore²³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-3| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: N Dunger| OR: 101| C

7/1

Regular at this track, winning twice over 19f. Runner-up twice here in October and probably best to overlook her latest run when out of the handicap. Back off his proper mark now.

Form: 764-224

Cristal Spirit⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: J R Boyle| OR: 96

11/10

Fairly useful Flat performer who struck at third attempt over hurdles in novice at Lingfield (19.5f) in January but has struggled in handicaps since. Could only consider if betting speaks for him.

Form: 170-608

Embole^h,t⁴⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 93

11/2

Largely disappointed since sole success at Wincanton in early 2019 but has been cut plenty of slack by the handicapper and market support would look significant on this return from an absence.

Form: 7P/8756-

Horatio Star¹²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 91

11/2

Fait Flat winner. No better than modest form over hurdles but still relatively early days in this sphere having had only one attempt in a handicap.

Form: 7089-

Jan Wellens^b1³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-13| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 97

16/1

Won on Flat for Ger Lyons in June. No better than modest form in 3 juvenile hurdles this autumn (his jumping letting him down on a couple of occasions) but no shock if he fares better in handicaps.

Form: 545

Little Vern^t³⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 82

9/1

Third in a bumper 2 years ago. Yet to show much over hurdles but interesting that good yard perseveres. Worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

Form: 3P88/7P-

Flanagans Field^b²²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Jordan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 82

25/1

Veteran who won twice at selling handicap level last season. Sharper for reappearance when third of 10 at Plumpton last month. Each-way claims again.

Form: 3314-43

Jappeloup³⁸⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 72

100/1

Poor maiden hurdler/chaser. Runner-up on his completed start in points in 2019 but went with no encouragement in Plumpton handicap hurdle on Rules return a year ago.

Form: 0FU2F/9-

Non-Runners

Gris De Pron¹⁰⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

Cristal Spirit (11/10), Embole (11/2), Horatio Star (11/2), Hier Encore (7/1), Gris De Pron (8/1), Little Vern (9/1), Highway One (16/1), Jan Wellens (16/1), Flanagans Field (25/1), Jappeloup (100/1)

It's interesting that the Dan Skelton yard is persevering with EMBOLE so he might be worth chancing from his reduced mark. Gris de Pron is another who is well treated and has joined a yard which has been in good form so he rates a potential threat. Course-specialist Hier Encore is also on the shortlist.