16:05 Fakenham

Thursday 28 January 2021

All12:5313:2313:5514:2815:0015:3516:05

Sky Sports Racing Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 31.2s

Todd^b³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-1| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁶⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 101| CD

16/1

Course regular who added to his tally in a selling handicap in November 2019. However, been struggling for form in trio of starts so far this term. Blinkers again the headgear of choice.

Form: 212-838

Always Able^p1³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs F Kehoe| OR: 95

14/1

Lightly-raced maiden who posted a career best on just her second handicap start when third at Huntingdon (25f) in October. Only seventh over this C&D since, though. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 547-837

Felton Bellevue^p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryan Carver| T: B I Case| OR: 95

9/2

Minor promise in trio of novice/maiden hurdles but unable to find the requisite improvement for the switch to handicaps, plugging on for third over 21.6f at Exeter recently. Longer trip may help.

Form: 03-7853

First Assembly¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R Bandey| OR: 93| BF

3/1

Remains a maiden after 11 runs but hard to knock recent exploits, staying on for third at Doncaster (3m, soft) earlier this month. Sharp nature of this track may not be ideal but he has claims.

Form: 223-833

Man Of Steel^p,t²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 92| C

100/1

Veteran. Prolific point/hunter winner over years, but he's winless over hurdles and hasn't offered a great deal either start upon returning to action this winter.

Form: PP4P-95

First One D'Ana^b1,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Archie Bellamy⁽⁵⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 92

7/1

Modest maiden hurdler in Ireland who has offered some promise in a couple of starts for new yard, tapped for speed before keeping on for third at Catterick (25f) latest. Not discounted in blinkers.

Form: 4444-33

Midnight Mary²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 90

10/1

Modest form at best in 3 attempts over hurdles but does rate a possible improver in handicaps and worth a check in the betting.

Form: 56-565

Jones Well^p1,t1⁴³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 80WS

3/1

Showed as much temperament as ability over hurdles in 2019 but good yard perseveres and interesting to see how he goes in betting now returning in first-time headgear combination/following wind op.

Form: 6670/09-

Avithos^b¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Fergus Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 76| D

7/1

Veteran mare who wasn't disgraced when sixth in staying handicap at Doncaster earlier this month. However, she was never going well from an early stage. Is operating from last winning mark at least.

Form: P6-4066

Non-Runners

Madera Mist⁴⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: Tim Vaughan J: Charlie Price

Bostin⁶³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 13

T: D C O'Brien J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Madera Mist (6/4), First Assembly (3/1), Jones Well (3/1), Felton Bellevue (9/2), Avithos (7/1), First One D'Ana (7/1), Midnight Mary (10/1), Always Able (14/1), Todd (16/1), Man Of Steel (100/1), Bostin (100/1)

MADERA MIST somewhat belatedly showed why she was the subject of strong market support previously when getting off the mark over fences at Cheltenham in December, a wind op/fitting of a tongue tie the possible catalyst. She's given the vote to translate that improved showing back over timber. First One D'ana and First Assembly head up the dangers.