13:58 Uttoxeter

Saturday 12 February 2022

All12:5013:2513:5814:3315:0815:4316:1816:53

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:59 | Winning time: 5m 17.04s

Red Risk⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129| D

15/2

Useful 20f chase winner who wasn't disgraced on a rare run over hurdles when sixth in handicap at Newbury (20.5f) 45 days ago. Not discounted kept to this sphere.

Form: 35U-356

Emmas Joy¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 127

8/1

Has failed to go in three runs over fences, only fourth of 6 here 14 days ago. Three-time hurdles winner though, so she's not without hope on her handicap debut.

Form: 117/464

Chti Balko²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| D

17/2

In good form until only ninth at Lingfield 22 days ago when possibly finding race coming too quickly. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 66-3239

Grand Morning^p,t⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| D

18/1

Signed off last seasson with 20f win at Ayr but in just fair form this term, fourth of 10 in handicap there 53 days ago. Bit more is needed.

Form: 71-9254

Notre Pari³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| D

4/1

Arrives below par over fences, fourth of 6 in handicap chase at Wincanton (20.2f) 35 days ago. Back hurdling now, and he's no forlorn hope off a falling mark.

Form: 533-274

Ulverston³³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: J Candlish| OR: 120| CD

15/2

Reliable sort who is also a C&D winner but he's been off the track for 11 months. Has scored after an absence before though so he shouldn't be underestimated on his return.

Form: D/13323-

Big Bad Bear¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 118

14/1

Operating below his best at present, only fourth of 6 in 19f handicap at Catterick 17 days ago. Needs to step forward despite his mark tumbling.

Form: F-20354

Mayo Star⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 118| D

20/1

Winless since early 2020, and below-par seventh of 10 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (22.7f) 45 days ago. Others are preferred.

Form: 1/44-927

Grizzly James⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114WS

8/1

Fairly useful ex-French 2m hurdler winner but yet to fire in two runs for his new yard, only ninth in 19f handicap at Haydock 73 days ago. Had wind op, and not written off just yet.

Form: 5/31-79

Hurricane Ali¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: J Mackie| OR: 110| C

7/2

Dual winner last May (including here) who shaped encouragingly after 5 months off when sixth in 19f handicap at Doncaster. Expected to be bang there with that run under his belt off 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 2-11236

Forecasts

Hurricane Ali (7/2), Notre Pari (4/1), Red Risk (15/2), Ulverston (15/2), Grizzly James (8/1), Emmas Joy (8/1), Chti Balko (17/2), Big Bad Bear (14/1), Grand Morning (18/1), Mayo Star (20/1)

Course-winner HURRICANE ALI shaped as though the run would bring him on after an absence when sixth at Doncaster so looks the way to go here off a handy mark. Ulverston lacks a recent run but this C&D winner goes well fresh and is feared most, with Notre Pari and Chti Balko both on the shortlist too.