14:20 Hereford

Sunday 28 February 2021

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

MansionBet Watch & Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 58.43s

Torn And Frayed¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 122

4/1

Fairly useful maiden hurdler who stepped up on his reappearance run when runner-up at Haydock and wasn't disgraced in a jumpers bumper last time. Mark looks fair on his best form.

Form: 242-425

Potters Venture⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122

7/1

Ex-pointer who left hurdling debut form well behind when making all in a novice at Chepstow 15 months ago. However, shaped as if amiss when pulled up before 3 out at Exeter on return.

Form: F43/31-P

Tossapenny⁴⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 119| D

12/1

Irish point winner who showed fair form over hurdles in 2017/18 but tough to assess having been off the track over 2 years.

Form: 22451/5-

Electron Bleu^t1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 117

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler who has underperformed so far this term and needs to revive in a first-time tongue strap if he's to hold any sort of chance.

Form: 622-683

Sastruga³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: R G Hawker| OR: 116

22/1

Made a successful return for new connections in Newton Abbot handicap (21.5f) in October but pulled up at Newbury 39 days later and mark demands a career best.

Form: 6283-1P

Hidden Commander¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 113WS

16/1

Twice-raced winner in points and definite signs of promise in 3 hurdling outings to date. Now handicapping after a break, so improvement on the cards.

Form: 01-046

Shortcross Storm⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: C Honour| OR: 107

9/4

Lightly-raced maiden in Ireland who looks an interesting newcomer for a small yard enjoying a productive season, with the step back up in trip likely to suit.

Form: P30-655

Mr Jack³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 106

5/1

Has returned in great nick after wind surgery, landing back-to-back 15.9f handicaps at Plumpton. Not ruled out in hat-trick bid with this step back up in trip likely to suit.

Form: 4/7P0-11

Lifeisahighway^t1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 105

25/1

Winning pointer who hinted at ability in a maiden/novice hurdles but was underwhelming on handicap bow at Doncaster last time. Now tried in a tongue strap.

Form: 5/1-P740

Karakoram^t⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 103

14/1

Fair 2m winning hurdler who also proved consistent last season but he's yet to hit top form this term, only seventh over C&D 73 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 6-368F7

Forecasts

Shortcross Storm (9/4), Torn And Frayed (4/1), Mr Jack (5/1), Potters Venture (7/1), Tossapenny (12/1), Electron Bleu (12/1), Karakoram (14/1), Hidden Commander (16/1), Sastruga (22/1), Lifeisahighway (25/1)

MR JACK is thriving and, given the style of his latest success at Plumpton, a return to this trip could bring even more out of him, so he's fancied to land the hat-trick despite the presence of Hidden Commander, who is a potential big improver now handicapping. Torn And Frayed also warrants consideration.