14:40 Wincanton

Saturday 8 January 2022

All11:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

rapidcharge.com Leading EV Charging Solution Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 51.03s

Jepeck³⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 124

40/1

Veteran who was pulled up on return over fences at Warwick (3m) in November. Travelled well to a point back over hurdles at Chepstow (23.6f) in December and assessor has relinquished his grip.

Form: P7R3-P7

Dan McGrue^p,t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁷⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 120| D

66/1

Produced best effort for this yard when fourth at Exeter (18.5f) 12 months ago but not scaled same heights all 3 starts since, including on back of a break at aforementioned venue last month.

Form: 6/545-P7

Apple Rock³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 117

9/2

Three-time hurdle winner who is probably in better heart than recent form figures suggest, weakening into seventh having raced on unfavoured inside at Leicester (20.5f) latest. One to note.

Form: 1165-87

Ouro Branco^p⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 114| C

33/1

Maiden over hurdles but stepped up over fences, gaining third career victory at Wincanton (20f) 13 months ago. Pulled up on return to action in November but lower hurdles mark to operate from here.

Form: 41/12F-P

Earth Business³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 113

6/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler who ran up to best when runner-up on handicap debut at Fontwell (19.2f) in November. Much better than bare result here (24.6f) since and not dismissed back down in trip.

Form: 383-423

Golden Emblem^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Reed| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113| CD

9/1

Dual handicap hurdle winner last term (latterly over C&D). Not disgraced on 2 of her 3 starts so far this winter and handicapper continues to relinquish his grip.

Form: 153-632

Blairgowrie³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 112

3/1

Fair in bumpers and similar form both starts over hurdles, the emphasis on speed seeming against him when third at Uttoxeter (20f) last month. In good hands and type to do better now handicapping.

Form: 33-43

Mister Sweets³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 110| D

18/1

Ex-pointer who showed improved form to make a winning handicap debut at Market Rasen (20.6f) in November. Similar form when fourth at Wetherby (3m) last time and expected to go well again.

Form: 3/24314

Crossing The Bar²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 108

9/4

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 14f) and definite encouragement to glean from pair of in-the-frame novice hurdle exploits at up to 20f in recent months. Looks interesting from workable opening mark.

Form: 43

Non-Runners

Getalead³⁰

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: Claire Harris J: David Prichard

Manvers House³⁵

Weight: 11-3| Age: 9

T: R Walford J: James Best

Nickelsonthedime³⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: K Woollacott J: Fergus Gillard

Straight Swap²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: C Gordon J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Crossing The Bar (9/4), Blairgowrie (3/1), Apple Rock (9/2), Earth Business (6/1), Golden Emblem (9/1), Getalead (10/1), Straight Swap (10/1), Nickelsonthedime (12/1), Manvers House (16/1), Mister Sweets (18/1), Ouro Branco (33/1), Jepeck (40/1), Dan McGrue (66/1)

Plenty arrive with chances, but the fairly useful staying handicapper on the Flat CROSSING THE BAR has shown definite signs of promise in a couple of novice hurdles in recent months and could be the way to go from what appeals as a workable opening mark on handicap bow. Apple Rock is in better heart than recent form figures suggest and is considered, along with Earth Business and Blairgowrie.