14:13 Doncaster

Wednesday 29 December 2021

All11:5512:2813:0313:3814:1314:5015:20

Visit attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:14 | Winning time: 6m 30.10s

The Cob²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 137| CD

11/4

Relished combination of step up to 3m and slow ground when landing a Grade 2 novice over C&D in January. Probably even stepped up on that form when second in Sandown handicap on return.

Form: 11310-2

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Small Present¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 131| CD

4/1

Progressive handicap hurdler around 3m in the spring. Made an inauspicious start over fences on return but quickly put that behind him back hurdling on last 2 starts. Could have a say down 2 lb.

Form: 111-036

Big Bad Bear^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: N G Richards| OR: 126| C

12/1

Course winner who shaped as if needing the run after 5 months off when third at Musselburgh earlier this month, going well for a long way. Down 2 lb and merits consideration with that under his belt.

Form: 04F-203

Skatman^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| D

4/1

Made it 2-2 over hurdles when making all in 2m novice at Newton Abbot in October but found things tougher switched to a competitive handicap at Cheltenham a month later. More needed but not dismissed.

Form: 18/1-16

Sultans Pride^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 124| CD

22/1

Enjoyed a productive 2020/21 season and, with cheekpieces on, returned to winning ways with another career-best effort at Kelso in November. Shaped as if amiss 5 weeks later so must bounce back.

Form: 1416-1P

Starsky^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| CD

11/2

Successful over hurdles in 26f Warwick handicap in May and after a couple of spins over fences, proved at least as good as ever when scoring over C&D last month. Up 8 lb but warrants plenty respect.

Form: 0-132U1

Sammylou^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119

40/1

Successful 3 times last season (at 26.5f) and enhanced good strike rate since returned to timber when landing Fontwell handicap (25.7f) in May. Offered little on return so step forward required.

Form: 113-618

Moon King^b,t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119

5/1

Useful Flat stayer who landed Musselburgh maiden hurdle and Newcastle bumper last winter. Ran well despite mistakes when neck second on Chepstow handicap bow (23.6f) and similar form over C&D since.

Form: 4311-23

Non-Runners

Wbee¹²⁸

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: G Hanmer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Cob (11/4), Wbee (11/4), Small Present (4/1), Skatman (4/1), Moon King (5/1), Starsky (11/2), Big Bad Bear (12/1), Sultans Pride (22/1), Sammylou (40/1)

Impossible to rule any of these out so at the likely odds it could be worth chancing BIG BAD BEAR. He went well for a long way before fading into third on return at Musselburgh earlier this month and, having dropped 2 lb below his last winning mark, Nicky Richards' course winner gets the vote. Wbee is chasing an impressive 5-timer so he's feared most on reappearance, ahead of Starsky.