15:40 Kempton

Sunday 26 December 2021

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Ladbrokes We Play Together Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 5m 28.80s

Earlofthecotswolds^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 139| D

4/1

Lower in the weights over hurdles but better than ever last month, following up his easy Wetherby win at Newbury. Up 5 lb for latter success but demands respect.

Form: 150-311

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Marie's Rock^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: N J Henderson| OR: 131

15/2

Couple of underwhelming runs last term after an absence but step back in right direction after wind op when third in listed company at Wetherby, Just a fair effort back in a handicap at Cheltenham.

Form: 11/73-37

Ecco^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131| BF

17/2

Second in this a year ago and added jumpers' bumper in February. Had a wind op prior to reappearance and though he may have needed it at Doncaster, it's not the first time he's finished weakly.

Form: 12125-6

An Tailliur³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129| D

7/2

Is improving at a rate of knots, readily completing the five-timer in 23f Exeter handicap prior to unseating at the first at Cheltenham. Cast that mishap aside when going in again at Taunton. Player.

Form: 1111U1

Commanche Red^v⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: C Gordon| OR: 128| CD

14/1

Bounced back from a quiet spell to capitalise on a reduced mark in first-time visor in April. Shaped quite well back there last month and well handicapped if he is the right mood.

Form: 0914-53

Heross Du Seuil²³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125| BF| C

13/2

Ex-French bumper winner who landed 2m course juvenile on yard debut a year ago. Not quite at that level despite finishing runner-up both starts since and current mark looks a shade too high.

Form: 112-2

Our Surprise^h,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 123| BF

11/2

Landed the odds in maiden company in April and better form when placed twice switched to handicap company at up to 19.7f during the autumn. Unexposed and looks worth a go at this trip.

Form: 321-423

On To Victory²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 122| BF

13/2

Very useful on the Flat and also won twice in this sphere last term. Fit from the level and already expensive to follow over hurdles in recent weeks. Now tries a new trip.

Form: 1013-44

Non-Runners

Hydroplane²⁹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: J J Burke

Albert Van Ornum¹⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: Tom Cheesman

Forecasts

An Tailliur (7/2), Earlofthecotswolds (4/1), Our Surprise (11/2), On To Victory (13/2), Heross Du Seuil (13/2), Marie's Rock (15/2), Ecco (17/2), Commanche Red (14/1), Hydroplane (16/1), Albert Van Ornum (50/1)

This is his toughest assignment yet, but AN TAILLIUR is just about the most progressive handicap hurdler around at present, winning his last 6 completed starts, and with his limit not yet reached, he can pass this test. Earlofthecotswolds also arrives on a roll and has to be feared, along with Our Surprise, who remains unexposed.