14:40 Taunton

Thursday 9 December 2021

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4015:1015:40

Dave Criddle Travel And Classic Holidays Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 43.12s

Slate House^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132

33/1

Very useful winning chaser in 2019 but he's come in well held both starts over hurdles this term. Others are much preferred.

Form: 6/P30-80

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Star Max^b¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 128

66/1

Fairly useful winning chaser for Joseph O'Brien. Had wind op before only tenth in 2m handicap at Newbury on yard bow 12 days ago. Switches to hurdles with something to prove.

Form: 222530

Highway One O Two^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: J E Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 127

17/2

Winless since early 2020, and below-form fifth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Ascot (15.7f) 20 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 602-755

Mr Pumblechook⁴¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Cobden| T: A King| OR: 127

22/1

Off 10 months and had a breathing op before good second of 10 in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (19.2f). Back from another long absence now, and market can prove a good indicator.

Form: 46427/2-

Royal Pretender²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 124| BF

9/2

Made it 2-3 this season at Plumpton in November before just edged out in 20f handicap at Wincanton 21 days ago. Not ruled out off an unchanged mark.

Form: 162-112

Only The Bold⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123

12/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles but he came in last of 7 in handicap at Aintree (20f) on his return. More is needed now.

Form: 1/2213-7

Osprey Call³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: A Ralph| OR: 122| BF

17/2

Off 7 months but in contention when falling 3 out in 2m handicap hurdle (7/4) at Newbury 35 days ago. Still has few miles on the clock, so he needs considering.

Form: 18/412-F

Guernesey¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120| BF| D

4/1

Has returned an improved model, opening his account at Exeter and close third over C&D 14 days ago, despite clouting the last. Player despite a 3 lb rise here.

Form: 37-4123

Itacare^b,t⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 120

66/1

Ex-French winning hurdler/chaser. Not disgraced when fourth in 21f handicap chase at Newton Abbot 49 days ago. Blinkers on now with bit more needed in this sphere.

Form: 3291-34

Gran Luna²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 119| D

9/1

Made it 2-3 over hurdles in 19f novice at Chepstow in the spring. Goes handicapping on her return with more to offer. Shortlisted.

Form: 1/131-

Red Royalist^p⁴⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: S Edmunds| OR: 118

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler but off since good third on the level at York 15 months ago. Market should prove a good guide on his comeback run.

Form: 32113/2-

Getalead²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: Claire Harris| OR: 117| D

7/2

Thriving this term, and he completed a quick hat-trick in 21f handicap at Ascot 20 days ago. Gutsy sort who merits consideration despite a further 5 lb rise.

Form: 94-2111

Kuraka^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 116

33/1

It's now twelve runs since his last win in 2018, and he posted below-form third of 11 in handicap at Ffos Las (20f) 42 days ago. Others are more persuasive.

Form: 43053-3

Forecasts

Getalead (7/2), Guernesey (4/1), Royal Pretender (9/2), Highway One O Two (17/2), Osprey Call (17/2), Gran Luna (9/1), Only The Bold (12/1), Red Royalist (12/1), Mr Pumblechook (22/1), Kuraka (33/1), Slate House (33/1), Itacare (66/1), Star Max (66/1)

GUERNESEY went down only narrowly over C&D a fortnight ago despite making a hash of the final flight so Philip Hobbs' improving 5-y-o looks the way to go here. Gutsy Getalead rates a big threat in his bid for a four-timer while both Gran Luna and Osprey Call figure high on the shortlist too in a competitive handicap.