14:38 Wincanton

Sunday 26 December 2021

All12:1812:5313:2814:0314:3815:1315:45

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:38 | Winning time: 6m 21.62s

Dandy Mag²³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 146

20/1

Pretty smart hurdler at his best for Willie Mullins, including win at Leopardstown last Christmas. Found life tougher from higher marks subsequently. Betting perhaps best guide on return for new yard.

Form: 0/81078-

If The Cap Fits^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 145| D

7/2

Really smart hurdler/chaser at best. Aintree reappearance second shows he still retains a good level of ability but he's been comfortably held in a Haydock handicap since.

Form: 3290-29

William Henry²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: S Thomas| OR: 144| D

10/1

Very smart hurdler for Nicky Henderson. Winning start for this yard over fences at Hereford last winter. Well held in 2 hurdles since, although he may have needed the run after 8 months off latterly.

Form: 381/10-0

Potterman²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 143

12/1

Awarded bet365 Chase at Sandown in the spring. Just as good when second in Badger Beer Chase here last month. Pulled up in Ladbrokes Trophy since but has slightly lower mark back hurdling.

Form: 2U1-P2P

Dame De Compagnie²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143

16/1

Coral Cup winner at 2020 Cheltenham Festival. Things havent't gone to plan lately but she would enter the reckoning if the betting speaks in her favour back hurdling.

Form: 1/1U9-7F

Flemcara^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 141

5/1

Dual winner at 3m+ last season and better than ever when narrowly denied on his 3m Newbury return a month ago, typically going with plenty of enthusiasm in front. Should go well again.

Form: 41F31-2

Barbados Buck's¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| D

8/1

Big-money buy from Irish points who proved useful over hurdles last season (won 3 times). Hasn't taken to fences this time round but no surprise were he to get back on track now hurdling.

Form: 1110-3P

Orbys Legend³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137

7/2

Took form up another notch when landing Silver Trophy on 19.5f Chepstow return. Seemingly failed to stay 3m when seventh of 12 at Haydock since but connections clearly happy to persevere at the trip.

Form: 2131-17

Saint Sonnet^b,t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

9/1

Ex-French recruit who was disappointing over fences last season and hasn't made any great impact back hurdling, including when stepped up to 3m in blinkers at Newbury latest. Others more obvious.

Form: PP03-70

Buckhorn George³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 118| C

16/1

Maiden hurdle winner who hit frame 3 times in handicap hurdles last winter. Hasn't taken to fences this time round but fairly handicapped if a return to hurdles sparks a revival.

Form: 225P-FP

Forecasts

Orbys Legend (7/2), If The Cap Fits (7/2), Flemcara (5/1), Barbados Buck's (8/1), Saint Sonnet (9/1), William Henry (10/1), Potterman (12/1), Dame De Compagnie (16/1), Buckhorn George (16/1), Dandy Mag (20/1)

FLEMCARA ran a cracker on his Newbury reappearance and looks the most solid option here. Barbados Buck's hasn't fired over fences this term but he did little wrong over hurdles last season and could easily bounce back returned to the smaller obstacles, particularly with his rider taking a handy 5 lb off. Potterman also has handicapping scope off his lower hurdle mark.