15:35 Leicester

Wednesday 7 December 2022

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

LeicesterRaces Christmas Meeting 28th December Book Now Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 25.17s

Oxygen²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 116

4/1

Winner of a newcomers' event over hurdles in France last autumn and similar form next 2 starts, runner-up in a minor event over fences at Angers (18.4f) in March. Shaped as though in need of the run on return for new yard in a Lingfield handicap hurdle (2m, good to soft) and better expected here.

Form: 14-5

Spanish Present⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 114| BF| D

2/1

Got off the mark on just his second start over hurdles in a 2½m Worcester novice in September. Disappointing on subsequent handicap debut at Cheltenham but it's still early days and he's probably worth another chance.

Form: 319-419

Cilaos Glace²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: O Sherwood| OR: 113

50/1

Successful over fences at Fontwell last December but has failed to complete on each of his 3 subsequent outings, including when returned to this sphere at Lingfield last month.

Form: 0/21F-PP

Cawthorne Lad¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112| D

6/1

Winner of just one of his 15 starts over hurdles but he has posted several solid efforts in defeat, too, recently finishing fourth of 9 off a 2 lb higher mark at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft). Each-way claims.

Form: 33-3244

Omega^v²¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: M F Harris| OR: 112

25/1

Three-time winner on the Flat in Germany and made a winning hurdles debut in France during the spring. Well held both starts since but needs a second look in the betting starting out for new connections in a first-time visor here.

Form: 16-9

Present Value²⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 111| CD

3/1

Winning start for Jamie Snowden in this race on his seasonal reappearance 12 months ago. Failed to build on that in 3 subsequent appearances but has slipped back to last year's winning mark and he evidently goes well fresh.

Form: 9/61784-

Yellowstone Park²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 108

6/1

Winless following 5 attempts between the flags but there were positives to glean from his efforts in maiden/novice hurdles last season. Makes handicap debut off what looks a fair mark and he's worth a second look.

Form: 3334-75

Non-Runners

Thirtyfourstitches²²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Spanish Present (2/1), Present Value (3/1), Oxygen (4/1), Yellowstone Park (6/1), Cawthorne Lad (6/1), Thirtyfourstitches (12/1), Omega (25/1), Cilaos Glace (50/1)

PRESENT VALUE made a winning reappearance in this race last year and, resuming on the same mark this time round, he is taken to repeat the dose. French-recruit Oxygen can be expected to leave his Lingfield effort well behind here and is feared for the in-form Venetia Williams yard. Yellowstone Park is a potential improve now pitched into a handicap, while Spanish Present remains of interest despite a disappointing handicap bow at Cheltenham.