14:12 Wetherby

Saturday 4 December 2021

All11:5212:2713:0213:3714:1214:4715:22

'Cheers Jacko' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:14 | Winning time: 4m 4.71s

Ornua¹³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 135| D

50/1

Useful chaser who regained winning thread in small field minor event at Tramore (21.5f) in July. Below that level over hurdles at Limerick later that month and others preferred making stable debut.

Form: 515-U13

Haafapiece³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 132| C| D

15/8

Consistent handicap hurdler who cashed in off reduced mark on return here (19.7f) in October, staying on to lead final 50 yds. 5 lb higher now but no surprise to see him go well again.

Form: 2F329-1

Lignou¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 127

16/1

Responded well to positive tactics when doubling hurdles tally in a Kilbeggan novice (19.4f) in April. However, not scaled same heights since, including on yard debut at Haydock 2 weeks ago.

Form: 761-098

No Risk Des Flos⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 125| D

9/2

€200,000 purchase who doubled hurdles tally in a Southwell novice (15.8f) in March. Possible return/handicap debut was needed at Fontwell (19.2f) in October and better showing expected back at 2m.

Form: 41215-7

Drumconnor Lad³²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 125| D

25/1

Looked as good as ever when successful over fences at Ayr (16.5f) last autumn. Never scaled same heights thereafter, last of 3 to finish at Wetherby (15f) in January. May need this on return.

Form: 2/916P3-

Benny's Bridge²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 124| D

8/1

Little impact both starts last term at Cheltenham but did shape as though retaining a chunk of his ability on return/yard debut at Wetherby last month. This will reveal more and mark has eased.

Form: 910/60-6

Perfect Man^t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 123

40/1

Not disgraced on first run since leaving Sophie Leech when seventh at Cartmel (22.1f, good) in May but didn't run much of a race after 6 months off when well held over 19.7f here. Others preferred.

Form: 40P-376

Laskadine²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Haslam| OR: 115| D

28/1

Back on song last winter when winning over 2m at Newcastle/Sedgefield. Not returned in much form though, well held at Carlisle (17f) 26 days ago. Return to left-handed track may help now.

Form: 42-2480

Romeo Brown¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 114| D

2/1

Knocked on the door several times last term and back from a break, put it all together for this yard at Hexham (16.2f) 17 days ago, drawing clear quickly. Of interest despite much inflated mark.

Form: 832-881

Forecasts

Haafapiece (15/8), Romeo Brown (2/1), No Risk Des Flos (9/2), Benny's Bridge (8/1), Lignou (16/1), Drumconnor Lad (25/1), Laskadine (28/1), Perfect Man (40/1), Ornua (50/1)

ROMEO BROWN had eased in the weights and benefited from a positive ride when ending a long losing run for Sue Smith at Hexham 17 days ago. The handicapper has reacted, but he looks a player nevertheless if replicating that here. Haafapiece, who resumed winning ways himself over further here in October, rates next best, ahead of No Risk des Flos.