Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 1.00s

Glory And Fortune^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 140| D

28/1

Improver this term, scoring at Plumpton before taking the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las. Far from disgraced in good-quality handicaps subsequently but very much looks up against at this level.

Form: 5-21164

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Not So Sleepy²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 160| D

4/1

Very smart hurdler who proved better than ever fit from the Flat when dead heating for first with Epatante in 6-runner Fighting Fifth Hurdle 29 days ago. Should go well again.

Form: P/R157-1

Soaring Glory²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 149| BF| D

17/2

Impressive winner of Betfair Hurdle last term and took his form up another notch with Ascot listed handicap success on return. Not seen to best effect in a small field last time and retains potential.

Form: F314-14

Tritonic⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 147| CD

4/1

Smart on Flat and seemed well suited by a test of stamina at this trip when landing the Betfair Exchange Trophy under a well-judged ride at Ascot (15.7f) last week. This obviously requires more.

Form: 115-251

Epatante²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| CD

4/5

Three-time Grade 1 winner who probably wasn't ideally suited by speed-blunting conditions when dead heating for first with Not So Sleepy in the Fighting Fifth. The one to beat.

Form: 1/1233-1

Forecasts

Epatante (4/5), Tritonic (4/1), Not So Sleepy (4/1), Soaring Glory (17/2), Glory And Fortune (28/1)

EPATANTE left the impression that the easing ground blunted her speed when dead-heating for first with Not So Sleepy in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last month, so she's very much the one to beat back under more suitable conditions. Last season's Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory retains potential having not been seen to best effect in a small field at Newbury last time.