15:35 Cheltenham

Friday 10 December 2021

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Citipost Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 5m 58.81s

Sporting John²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 151| CD

5/4

Multiple hurdles winner who impressively landed Scilly Isles Chase in February. Smart form when scoring in listed event here on return/handicap debut (after wind op) last month and he's open progress.

Form: 7/31FP-1

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Ask Dillon²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| CD

18/1

Smart handicap hurdler last season, signing off with success at Cheltenham (3m) in April. Yet to make an impact this term but below last winning mark now and a return to this track will benefit.

Form: 461-460

Botox Has^p1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 136| C

4/1

Hasn't quite progressed as anticipated since taking a course conditions race last October. Fell heavily on his chase debut/return and latest effort suggested that enlisting headgear is a good move.

Form: 406P-F8

Shannon Bridge¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

33/1

Perked up by blinkers and a return to hurdles when winning at Wetherby and Ascot in January/February. Doesn't appear to have returned in much form this term, though.

Form: 211-P70

Onagatheringstorm²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 131| D

9/2

Winning pointer who confirmed hurdles debut promise when running out a comfortable winner of a maiden/novice during the spring. Behind Sporting John when second last month and more needed to figure.

Form: 321-132

Kansas City Chief^p²⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss Victoria Malzard⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125| CD

9/1

Veteran who was all the better for his comeback run in Jersey when landing a C&D handicap under this rider in October. Similar form when third next time so holds each-way claims.

Form: 73U9-13

The Wrekin^p1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 124

8/1

Three-time winner of novice hurdles last term who ran creditably on just his second handicap start when fifth of 20 in handicap hurdle (11/1) here 4 weeks ago. Cheekpieces on but more needed.

Form: 2-11175

Ferrobin^b1³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: M Young| OR: 122

50/1

Provided trainer with first winner under Rules at Market Rasen last December and back on song after 6 months off when landing 8-runner event at Ludlow last month. Blinkers on but may struggle here.

Form: 244F-21

Ernesto^p,t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 117

28/1

Gained breakthrough hurdles success in Exeter maiden (17f) before following up in 2½m Uttoxeter handicap in June. Second on the Flat latest but looks up against it.

Form: 3241-15

Non-Runners

Agrapart³⁶

Weight: 11-3| Age: 10

T: Mrs J Williams J: Chester Williams

Saint Dalina²⁶⁵

Weight: 10-4| Age: 7

T: C E Longsdon J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Sporting John (5/4), Botox Has (4/1), Onagatheringstorm (9/2), The Wrekin (8/1), Kansas City Chief (9/1), Agrapart (10/1), Saint Dalina (12/1), Ask Dillon (18/1), Ernesto (28/1), Shannon Bridge (33/1), Ferrobin (50/1)

Having largely failed to deliver over fences last term, SPORTING JOHN got firmly back on track when making a winning return/handicap debut back over hurdles here last month, proving his effectiveness at 3m in the process. With further improvement on the cards, he gets the vote to follow up. First-time cheekpieces should help Botox Has so Gary Moore's charge is feared most, ahead of Ask Dillon.