14:22 Huntingdon

Monday 26 December 2022

All12:0512:4013:1513:4714:2214:5715:32

Visit racingtv.com Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:23 | Winning time: 5m 2.50s

Drop Him In^p⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 111

20/1

Maiden hurdler in Ireland who made frame on 2 of his 4 starts in points prior to a creditable third returned to timber for new stable at Lingfield (23f) last month. Possible he can step up again on that now chasing. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: U63F4-3

All Dancer^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 109

10/3

Fairly useful ex-French 17f hurdles winner. Is a chaser on looks but yet to match hurdles form in this sphere, weakening when not fluent 3 out at Chepstow (19.5f) at the start of the month. Still, too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 613/4-57

Airtothethrone¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 107

9/2

Placed both starts in Irish points and bright start under Rules, unsurprisingly improving for switch to chasing when narrowly on top close home at Taunton (23f) 18 days ago. Remains low-mileage and likely there's more to come.

Form: 3/32-431

The Knot Is Tied²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Max Kendrick| T: N B King| OR: 104| D

40/1

Fair winner over hurdles who had been in the dodrums for a while but proved resurgent on second chase start when successful at Lingfield (2m) 3 weeks ago, all out to hold on. Task is to back that up now.

Form: 4P4P-31

Smoking Pigeon^t²⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: F O'Brien| OR: 103| BF

7/2

Winning pointer who improved on opening hurdles exploits when placed in handicaps at Huntingdon/Wincanton earlier this year. In process of running below form here when last seen in April but interesting what the market makes of him now tackling larger obstacles on return.

Form: 54323F-

Icaque de L'Isle^t1⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan| T: R Bandey| OR: 110| BF

11/1

Chase winner over 2¼m in France. Well-beaten third when sent off favourite for his British debut at Ffos Las (3m) last month but clearly early days and possibility he'll prove a different proposition back over shorter. Also refitted with the tongue tie he wore in France.

Form: 67-033

William Cody²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 100| BF| CD

9/4

Maiden over hurdles but confirmed chase debut promise when running out an authoritative winner over C&D in November. Creditable second from 6 lb higher mark at Wetherby has followed but this is a tougher assignment.

Form: 52-7212

River Tyne⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 97

16/1

Winless following half-a-dozen attempts over hurdles but was placed 3 times in that sphere last season. Merely passed beaten rivals on return/chase debut at Lingfield (20f) in November but she's a winning pointer and may come on for that now.

Form: 52326-3

Forecasts

William Cody (9/4), All Dancer (10/3), Smoking Pigeon (7/2), Airtothethrone (9/2), Icaque de L'Isle (11/1), River Tyne (16/1), Drop Him In (20/1), The Knot Is Tied (40/1)

This looks wide open and it could just be worth chancing 4-y-o ICAQUE DE L'ISLE. He failed to meet expectations on his British debut at Ffos Las early on last month but this drop back in trip/refitting of a tongue tie both rate positives and better can be expected. Tim Vaughan's Airtothethrone is also high on the shortlist, with chase-debutant Drop Him In and William Cody others to consider.