13:45 Wincanton

Thursday 20 January 2022

All13:1513:4514:1514:4515:1515:5016:20

Watch RacingTV With Free Trial Now Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 24.27s

Geordie Des Champs¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 132| D

11/1

Three wins already this season but has found life tougher the last twice, beaten just under 16 lengths when fifth at Ludlow last week. Others hold stronger claims.

Form: 150145

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Captain Drake^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 132

22/1

Placed in Midlands and Welsh Nationals in recent campaigns but pulled up in this season's Welsh National. Remains to be seen if a return to hurdles helps matters.

Form: 540-94P

Jepeck¹²

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 130| C

11/1

Veteran who bounced back to form to take advantage of a reduced mark over 21f here 12 days ago. In control a long way out on that occasion and respected despite a 6 lb rise.

Form: 7R3-P71

St Barts⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 128

13/2

Winning pointer/hurdler who confirmed promise of chase debut when making all at Newbury (3m) last winter. Disappointed in a chase on his Chepstow return but retains potential back hurdling.

Form: 31/215-8

Valtor^p³³

Age: 13| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 125

12/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who ended his time for Nicky Henderson in good order and made reasonable start for his new stable when third over fences at Ascot last month.

Form: 8U3-234

Acey Milan^b1,t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125| C| D

11/1

Aintree novice handicap chase winner in October 2020 but has largely struggled since, including well held back hurdling on his reappearance. Only midfield over fences at Haydock since.

Form: 52F6-78

Lord Of Kerak^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 123

6/1

Fairly useful winning novice hurdler last term. Made a sound enough return to action after wind surgery when fifth of 10 in 20.5f Ayr handicap last month and he may come on for the outing.

Form: 21826-5

Imphal³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 113| D

10/11

Has sprouted wings since upped in trip, completing a hat-trick in October/November. Badly hampered at first and did well to get second in a big field at Ascot last time. Likely still on a good mark.

Form: 411132

Forecasts

Imphal (10/11), Lord Of Kerak (6/1), St Barts (13/2), Acey Milan (11/1), Jepeck (11/1), Geordie Des Champs (11/1), Valtor (12/1), Captain Drake (22/1)

IMPHAL did well to get second in a competitive race at Ascot last time after being hampered early on and can show he's still ahead of the handicapper. Recent course scorer Jepeck and St Barts, who retains potential back hurdling, can give Gary Moore's representative most to think about.