16:15 Warwick

Sunday 14 March 2021

All13:3714:0714:3715:1215:4216:1516:5017:22

MansionBet Have Yourself A MerryCheltmas Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 42.10s

Burrows Park²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132| D

40/1

Consistent staying handicap hurdler but comfortably held both starts switched to fences this season and fared no better back over timber at Exeter a moth ago. Lot to prove at present.

Form: 14P-65P

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Flashjack²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 131| CD

18/1

Successful in the mud at Haydock in December 2019 and now finds himself 4 lb lower in the weights. Slightly more positive signs when plugging on for fifth at Exeter and now up in trip.

Form: 18-5895

Sykes²²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: David Prichard⁽⁷⁾| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 130

25/1

Well weighted these days but hard to draw too many positives from efforts this season, albeit he's adopted hold-up tactics the last twice (usually a prominent racer).

Form: P44-087

Diomede Des Mottes^t⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF| C

12/1

Dual hurdles winner who has failed to really convince over fences this term, shaping as though amiss at Catterick in January. Freshened up by a break and couldn't be in much better hands.

Form: 0P-4P2P

J'Ai Froid^v²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 130

7/2

Strong stayer who has made a fine start for his current yard, completing the hat-trick at Ascot 3 weeks ago. Up further 6 lb but extra emphasis on stamina will help him.

Form: 71/4111

Poker Play¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 128| BF

11/1

Landed Ffos Las novice chase in the mud last term. Struggled in competitive contests after but brace of placed effort in small-field handicaps over hurdles minus headgear confirm he's in good nick.

Form: 00-8423

Geordie Des Champs⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 127

33/1

One-time talented hurdler/chaser, but off 27 months and hard to draw many positives from January's run at this venue. Leading owner keeps the faith, though.

Form: 11357/P

Ballymillsy²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127| CD

6/4

Shaped well in a very hot Kempton bumper last season and relished step up to this trip when making successful handicap debut at this venue last month. 6 lb rise may prove to be lenient.

Form: 4-3621

Minella Warrior^p,t¹¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 127| C

18/1

Below par since landing a 3m handicap hurdle at Wetherby in March 2019, never a factor at Market Rasen when last seen in November.

Form: 3P-4207

Morning Spirit³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126| BF

7/1

Improved form to get off mark at the fifth time of asking in handicaps at Ascot in December, keeping on when left clear last. Similar level when third over C&D last month and can remain competitive.

Form: 7-43313

Looks Like Power¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 116

10/1

Ended a lengthy losing sequence in pretty dominant fashion at Exeter a fortnight ago under a change of tactics. Up 9 lb but still well treated on old form.

Form: S-7P431

Forecasts

Ballymillsy (6/4), J'Ai Froid (7/2), Morning Spirit (7/1), Looks Like Power (10/1), Poker Play (11/1), Diomede Des Mottes (12/1), Flashjack (18/1), Minella Warrior (18/1), Sykes (25/1), Geordie Des Champs (33/1), Burrows Park (40/1)

BALLYMILLSY improved for the step up in trip and switch to handicaps when landing a C&D contest last month and a 6 lb rise may underestimate this 5-y-o. Looks Like Power is into the veteran stage of his career but he reacted well to a change of tactics at Exeter and retains handicap scope, with Morning Spirit completing the shortlist.