13:15 Kempton

Saturday 27 February 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Close Brothers Asset Finance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:18 | Winning time: 5m 2.1s

Golan Fortune^p⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 139| CD

16/1

Useful hurdler who made winning start over fences in 3m Ludlow novice chase and has posted two good chasing efforts since. Much respected reverted to this sphere.

Form: 943143

Ecco^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133

9/2

Form: 0-83121

Encore Champs³⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| DWS

11/2

Fairly useful winning hurdler who matched that form over fences last term for Warren Greatrex. Off 11 months but has won off a break before so interesting back hurdling on yard debut after a wind op.

Form: 8/2617P-

Hometown Boy³⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 130

11/1

Quickly made into fairly useful hurdler last term, signing off with good 7th in EBF Final at Kempton. No surprise if he goes on to better things but needs to hit ground running after 11 months off.

Form: 433127-

Tedham^t⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128| BF| D

13/2

Progressive winning hurdler last term but he disappointed when switched to fences on his return and ran poorly back hurdling at Wincanton last time. Tongue strap refitted with something to prove.

Form: 7/637-P4

White Moon^t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127| DWS

50/1

Useful hurdler/chaser at best who looked in need of reappearnce after 11 months off when well held in 2m5f Wincanton handicap. Since had breathing op but needs a big step forward now.

Form: 4/FP07-8

Diocletian^h⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Page Fuller| T: A M Balding| OR: 126

12/1

Useful Flat stayer who has improved with each of his three runs over hurdles and easily opened his account in 2m4f Fakenham maiden in December. More to offer now handicapping so needs considering.

Form: 451

Major Dundee⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 124

18/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who has matched that form over hurdles when runner-up in 2m3f novices at Warwick/Doncaster. This step up in trip is sure to suit so bold showing expected on handicap bow.

Form: 10F6-22

Gunsight Ridge³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 122

11/4

Point winner who is on the up over hurdles, landing 2m Doncaster novice before exellent second of 15 to Gowel Road on handicap bow at Newbury last month. More to come but takes big step up in trip.

Form: 14-212

Top Man⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 118| D

8/1

Fairly useful hurdle/chase winner who wasn't disgraced back in this sphere when fourth over C&D having fallen previous two runs over fences. Still low mileage, so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 36-1FF4

Non-Runners

Debestyman¹⁰⁵

Weight: 10-11| Age: 8

T: Miss S Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Gunsight Ridge (11/4), Ecco (9/2), Encore Champs (11/2), Tedham (13/2), Top Man (8/1), Hometown Boy (11/1), Diocletian (12/1), Debestyman (12/1), Golan Fortune (16/1), Major Dundee (18/1), White Moon (50/1)

ENCORE CHAMPS has been off the track for almost a year but goes well fresh and figures on a good mark reverted to hurdles on his first run for Dan Skelton so is worth siding with. Handicap-debutants Major Dundee and Diocletian look set to take a sizeable step forward so rate big threats and in-form Ecco is worth a second look too in a very competitive handicap.