13:18 Wetherby

Saturday 12 November 2022

All12:0812:4313:1813:5314:2815:0315:38

Slingsby Gin Peak Cap & Pearls Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:19 | Winning time: 4m 46.79s

Captain Zebo¹⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 132| CD

17/2

Very useful handicapper who has gained four of his 5 hurdle victories for this yard at Carlisle. Not disgraced in 2 outings over the summer and has been given a bit of a chance by the handicapper (dropped 4 lb for last time).

Form: 6/445-74

Haafapiece²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 130| CD

17/2

Notched a pair of C&D wins last season. Not close to his best when well-held fifth of 7 on his Market Rasen reappearance 4 weeks ago but he might strip fitter for the run and is 2 lb below his last successful mark.

Form: 31798-5

Onagatheringstorm^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129

6/1

Made an encouraging seasonal return after wind surgery when third of 13 in 2½m Cheltenham handicap 3 weeks ago. May come on for the outing and needs considering under Brian Hughes.

Form: 13250-3

Rafferty's Return²³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 128| BF| CD

9/2

Winner of 2 of his 3 starts in novice hurdles, including over this C&D in February. Disappointing when beaten at short odds in a small field at Newcastle on his handicap debut in March but he returns as an unexposed sort.

Form: 54/1214-

Hardy Du Seuil³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 126| D

17/2

Hurdles winner in France who took well to chasing over here last season, winning twice and runner-up on 3 other occasions. Well held back hurdling on his reappearance but he may strip fitter now.

Form: U1222-5

Foster'sisland²¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 122| D

22/1

Firmly on the up when racking up a hat-trick in November/December. Ended his campaign with 2 creditable placed efforts (C&D first occasion) and ought to be competitive if ready to roll after 7 months off.

Form: 111032-

Thereisnodoubt^h,t²²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| D

18/1

Went close over C&D off this mark on his first run for this yard back in February. Better than the result on his final 2 outings and contender if fully primed for his reappearance.

Form: 072266-

Iroko^t²⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 121

9/4

Promise in a bumper/hurdle in France and hit the frame in Graded juvenile hurdles for this stable last winter. Reappears with his yard among the winners and he's an interesting one for handicaps, all the more so if the betting vibes are strong.

Form: 4244-

Dancewiththewind⁷²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 115

22/1

On the up when winning a pair of 2m handicaps in autumn 2020 but hasn't been seen since. The betting is perhaps the best guide to expectations given the length of the absence.

Form: 174211/

Sheriff Garrett^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 114| D

33/1

Showed what he can do when on-song with a thoroughly decisive all-the-way success at Sedgefield (2½m, soft) in March. Well beaten on next 3 starts but he did take a step back in the right direction after a break when fourth of 8 over C&D a fortnight ago. Nicely treated if he can build on that.

Form: F1P5-64

Kadex^t1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: L Wadham| OR: 115

25/1

Won twice from 4 starts over hurdles in France last season but shaped as if amiss when pulled up on return/yard debut at Worcester (2½m) 16 days ago. Tongue tie back on now and this ought to reveal more.

Form: F161-P

The Player Queen²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 112| D

25/1

Point/bumper winner who built on earlier promise when doubling hurdles tally in 5-runner novice at Musselburgh in February. Well held in mares' final at Newbury when last seen in April. Has a decent record fresh and is still relatively unexposed.

Form: 1/151P9-

Forecasts

Iroko (9/4), Rafferty's Return (9/2), Onagatheringstorm (6/1), Hardy Du Seuil (17/2), Captain Zebo (17/2), Haafapiece (17/2), Thereisnodoubt (18/1), Foster'sisland (22/1), Dancewiththewind (22/1), The Player Queen (25/1), Kadex (25/1), Sheriff Garrett (33/1)

A chance is taken on the fitness of IROKO as he appeals as one who could have more to come in handicaps, with confidence in his chance increased should the betting vibes be strong. Onagatheringstorm made quite a promising return to action at Cheltenham last month and heads the dangers along with Thereisnodoubt and dual C&D scorer Haafapiece.