15:07 Hereford

Saturday 12 December 2020

All12:1212:4713:2213:5714:3215:0715:42

starsports.bet The Gentleman's Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 6m 44.58s

Three Ways^b1,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Ben Hicks⁽⁷⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 116

16/1

Useful hurdler/chaser in his pomp, but offered little back from a lengthy absence at Aintree last month.

Form: 6/D54-69

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Nifty At Fifty^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: J Scott| OR: 112

4/1

Returned after 8 months off with good third of 15 in 3m handicap at Chepstow but did underline his quirky side when not in the same form at Uttoxeter since. Player if in the mood, though.

Form: 1R45-37

Three Colours Red^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 112| D

33/1

Didn't take to fences in summer 2019 and pulled up back hurdling after an absence at Chepstow in October. Headgear refitted. Needs to have come on a good deal for the run.

Form: 41446-P

Adimelo³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs M Evans| OR: 109

22/1

Mark has edged down (rated in mid-120s a year ago) and showed better signs when third of 7 at Exeter in October. Pulled up back there since, though.

Form: 59-473P

Ratfacemcdougall^b1,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 109| C

7/2

Back on-song with visor enlisted this autumn, runner-up here (21f) before scoring at Musselburgh (3m). Does need to shrug off a lesser run last time, though.

Form: 4-75217

Lugg River^p1⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 108

11/2

Fair in bumpers. No better than modest form over hurdles but her stable is enjoying a good season and she has the potential for improvement now handicapping in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 45/347-6

Royal Claret^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: J McGrath| T: T Symonds| OR: 107| CD

7/2

Not one for maximum faith (ran poorly at Chepstow last time) but the fact she's won both previous outings over this C&D has to bring her into the reckoning.

Form: P921-55

Black Centaur²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Joshua Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 101

7/2

Successful on sole outing in Irish points but his Rules efforts to date have been a little underwhelming, including well held in handicap hurdle on reappearance/yard debut. Tongue tie off.

Form: 055/55-6

Non-Runners

Perfect Pirate¹⁸

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Flowing Cadenza²⁹⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: R H Buckler J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Perfect Pirate (3/1), Ratfacemcdougall (7/2), Black Centaur (7/2), Royal Claret (7/2), Nifty At Fifty (4/1), Lugg River (11/2), Flowing Cadenza (13/2), Three Ways (16/1), Adimelo (22/1), Three Colours Red (33/1)

The combination of the return to a longer trip and refitting of blinkers should help PERFECT PIRATE who gets the nod here on the back of a decent comeback run at Southwell. Nifty at Fifty could pose a threat if putting his best foot forward, while Royal Claret's 2-2 C&D record also affords her respect.