13:47 Huntingdon

Sunday 26 December 2021

All12:0612:4013:1513:4714:2214:5715:32

Alconbury Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 5m 23.10s

London Eye⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 111

9/1

Fair on the Flat and has made an encouraging start over jumps. Well ridden latest hurdles start (20f, heavy), but has since run creditably on the Flat and further improvement not out of the question.

Form: 3142

Fanfan Du Seuil^p1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: T R George| OR: 109

12/1

Showed signs of stopping the slide here in October but has gone backwards since, sixth of 9 on latest start at Wincanton 24 days ago. Undoubtably well treated if able to revive back up in trip.

Form: 7P0-236

Whispering Gypsy³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 107

9/1

Highly tried when fourth of 5 in Kempton listed mares race 34 days ago (80/1, 24.5f) but now back to a more realistic level. Fair claims if able to settle with the hood again left off.

Form: P2-1544

Cheng Gong^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Kai Lenihan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N B King| OR: 107

4/1

Quickly backed up a C&D second to next-time-out winner Vee Dancer by filling the runner-up spot again at Lingfield (9/2, good ) 18 days ago. Consistency could be rewarded now.

Form: 3-05222

Portentoso^b¹⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: S Holdsworth| OR: 107

100/1

Little shown since joining yard from France so far. 66/1, seventh of 8 at Worcester (16f, good to soft) when last seen in July and hard to make a case for.

Form: 550-3P7

Grand Lord^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 106

6/1

Had been running well despite handicapper seemingly having his measure until running out when short of room last time at Warwick (13/2, 21f). Can give another good account if that was just a blip.

Form: 023-23R

Sidewaysinmilan¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 106

7/1

Unexposed bumper winner who looked like he needed a much stiffer test of stamina when fourth of 11 last time at Uttoexter (15.7f, heavy). Should get that upped in trip now and is a big player.

Form: 2241-34

Get Prepared¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 104

6/1

Point winner who showed improved form to get off the mark when 5/1 and prominently ridden at Southwell 14 days ago (20.4f, good). Decent chance if able to back that up.

Form: 1/04F-61

Floy Joy^t1⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 100

9/1

Looked no more than averagely treated at Worcester 44 days ago (20f, soft) when 13/2 fifth of 8, though may have still needed the run. Down 3 lb and claimer takes off 7 so not out of the equation.

Form: 5152-05

Linger^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss C Dyson| OR: 100

50/1

Failed to respond to a breathing operation when well held 14 days ago at Southwell (33/1). Prior to his 8-month break, he had shown signs of returning to form so market check needed.

Form: 90/PP4-0

Hello Sunshine^t⁴⁴

16/1

Reportedly suffered a respiratory problem when pulled up as strong favourite at Worcester last month (20f, soft). Not discounted if recent wind operation has desired effect.

Form: 9745-1P

Candy Lou²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy| OR: 96| CD

28/1

Provided trainer with first winner in March over C&D, beating a next-time-out winner. Disappointed after but still 3 lb higher than for that win and needs to bounce back after 8 months off.

Form: 60018P-

Wrong Way Harry²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: R Patrick| T: M Sheppard| OR: 96

15/2

Has made a solid start for new yard, with only reopposing Cheng Gong and the gambled-on Vee Dancer finishing head of him over C&D 21 days ago despite being poorly placed. Fancied to go well again.

Form: 402553

Non-Runners

Henschke¹⁹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: W Greatrex J: James Davies

Forecasts

Cheng Gong (4/1), Henschke (11/2), Grand Lord (6/1), Get Prepared (6/1), Sidewaysinmilan (7/1), Wrong Way Harry (15/2), Floy Joy (9/1), Whispering Gypsy (9/1), London Eye (9/1), Fanfan Du Seuil (12/1), Hello Sunshine (16/1), Candy Lou (28/1), Linger (50/1), Portentoso (100/1)

WRONG WAY HARRY was given plenty to do when running on late behind the gambled-on Vee Dancer and reopposing Cheng Gong, both of whom have franked the form. In different circumstances, he can open his account over hurdles. Cheng Gong should be involved again along with Sidewaysinmilan, who, as a former Irish point runner-up, should relish this stiffer test.