13:20 Hereford

Wednesday 23 November 2022

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:50

Cazoo Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 6.20s

Zestful Hope²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 107| C

11/4

Course maiden winner in January. Hasn't progressed as quite expected in handicaps since but this represents a slight drop in class.

Form: 134-336

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Chris Cool³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 106

16/1

Best effort in bumpers at Ayr in November 2021 and made a successful debut over hurdles in a weak affair at Bangor (16.7f) the following month. Showed very little on October's reappearance/handicap debut.

Form: 36/515-0

Sambezi^p,t¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: O Signy| OR: 105| BF

7/1

Placed twice over hurdles in the spring but absent since a poor run at Ffos Las at the end of May. Cheekpieces refitted back from a break.

Form: 4P73-28

Happy Company²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 100

100/1

Modest performer in both codes for P.J.Hassett. Low-key start on the level for current yard last month and he has a lot to prove back over timber.

Form: 0762/80

Walkinthewoods²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 95

5/2

Well prepared back from 6 months off when opening his account in 16-runner handicap at Chepstow last month (2m). Step back up in trip sure to suit and he has a lot to recommend him.

Form: 40254-1

Duke Of Earl⁶⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 89

7/1

Cost a bit and some promise in 2m maiden/novice hurdles in the spring. Step up in trip sure to suit now handicapping and he's one to monitor in the betting.

Form: 669/

William Ewart^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 83

3/1

Has hinted at ability in bumpers/over hurdles, showing improved form on reappearance fitted with a tongue tie when second here a fortnight ago. Can remain competitive.

Form: 57000-2

Dogem By Design^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 76

40/1

Made frame completed start in Irish points but little to get excited about in his qualifying runs. Has a lowly mark as a result, at least.

Form: 4PP99-0

Non-Runners

Cornicello⁶

Weight: 11-13| Age: 4

T: Jamie Snowden J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cornicello (11/8), Walkinthewoods (5/2), Zestful Hope (11/4), William Ewart (3/1), Sambezi (7/1), Duke Of Earl (7/1), Chris Cool (16/1), Dogem By Design (40/1), Happy Company (100/1)

This looks a reasonable race for the grade with CORNICELLO selected to continue the good work up in trip. Walkinthewoods also arrives on the back of a career-best effort, with Duke of Earl one to monitor in the betting now handicapping.