14:30 Fakenham

Saturday 1 January 2022

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

Fakenham Racecourse Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 5m 19.70s

Thunderstruck^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J R Wildman⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 125

9/1

Was ridden too aggressively and didn't jump at all well at Market Rasen 7 weeks ago but that is proving to be a good race and he'd previously been on the up. Interesting under 10 lb conditional.

Form: 53-1227

Bashful Boy^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 121

9/2

Fair Flat winner who doubled hurdles tally at Fontwell (17.7f) in March. Fair runs the last twice, including for new yard latest, but has stamina to prove for this new trip now.

Form: 13-5823

Ferrobin^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: M Young| OR: 120

25/1

Proving hard to catch right, winning at Ludlow (21f) under this rider before a tame display in a stronger race at Cheltenham (blinkered). Quickly dropped back 5 lb with old cheekpieces re-applied.

Form: 44F-218

Small Bad Bob¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: W T Kennedy| T: P Henderson| OR: 117

33/1

Newton Abbot novice winner who showed improved form to follow up in a Fontwell handicap (17.7f) in October. Well held in handicaps last 3 starts, though. Back up in distance here.

Form: 211905

Feivel²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 116| D

9/1

Form of his Naas debut third is strong and he made his first completed start for new yard a winning one at Hexham over this trip last month. More to come again now handicapping.

Form: 3-F1

Ray's The One^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114

7/1

Really motoring, following up first Flat success with victory in 17.7f Fontwell handicap hurdle in the mud, keeping on well from stablemate who won himself on Boxing Day. Cheekpieces on. Player.

Form: 4V4-61

All In Love⁵⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 114

11/4

Fairly useful ex-French hurdler/chaser. Off track 19 months though so has his fitness to prove on yard bow. Market could guide.

Form: 455/22-

San Pedro²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 108

22/1

Irish Flat winner who is proving inconsistent without success over hurdles, pulled up at Exeter last time after a good second at Lingfield. Will find easier assignments.

Form: P6502P

Here Comes Henry²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: S Edmunds| OR: 106

4/1

Catching the eye in maiden/novice hurdles around this trip that have thrown up winners, not given a hard time at Uttoxeter latest. More to come now handicapping and most interesting.

Form: 2-566

Shantung^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Corey McGivern⁽¹⁰⁾| T: L Wadham| OR: 105| C| D

11/1

Won 2m mares' handicap hurdle here a year ago but inconsistent since, well beaten over this trip at Plumpton 11 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 215-734

Non-Runners

Brainstorm²

Weight: 10-8| Age: 4

T: Mrs S Leech J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

All In Love (11/4), Here Comes Henry (4/1), Bashful Boy (9/2), Ray's The One (7/1), Feivel (9/1), Thunderstruck (9/1), Shantung (11/1), Brainstorm (16/1), San Pedro (22/1), Ferrobin (25/1), Small Bad Bob (33/1)

The very interesting one is HERE COMES HENRY. He's been catching the eye and it would be no surprise if he were ahead of his mark now handicapping for an in-form yard with a good record here. Fontwell-winner Ray's The One is feared, with Feivel also of interest on his handicap debut, along with Thunderstruck.