12:27 Wetherby

Monday 26 December 2022

All11:5212:2713:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

William Hill Play Responsibly Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:27 | Winning time: 6m 33.56s

Concrete King²⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 105| BF| D

16/1

Multiple Irish point winner who ran respectably back over fences when second at Fontwell (21.6f, soft) in February. Absent since falling over the same C&D a month later (departed too far out to suggest outcome) but claims if fully tuned-up.

Form: 45232F-

Trevelyn's Corn^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105| D

8/1

Expensive point recruit who went the wrong way for Paul Nicholls after winning a maiden hurdle at Wincanton in March 2019. Runner-up twice in this sphere in March but safely held behind Aire Valley Lad on return over this C&D 23 days ago.

Form: 74522-4

Jean Genie^t,v³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 104

9/1

Fair hurdler/staying chaser but remains a long-standing maiden, for all that he went agonisingly close at Ffos Las in October. Not so good at Ludlow last time and will probably find one ot two too good once more.

Form: 3-22225

Get Prepared^t1²³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 101

9/1

Gained breakthrough success in a handicap hurdle at Southwell last December but absent since misfiring at Warwick during the spring. Still, he was a winner of his sole start between the flags, which augurs well ahead of this switch to fences. Tongue tie on and interesting.

Form: 614U5-P

Aire Valley Lad²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 99| CD

9/2

Unreliable sort but in good heart of late, finishing second at Newcastle prior to opening chase account at the twelfth time of asking over this C&D. 5 lb rise fair enough and should be in the mix provided his temperament remains in check.

Form: 5-25621

Court At Slip^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 99

10/1

Lightly-raced 5-y-o who produced a career best when off the mark in handicap hurdle at Newcastle in March. In the frame both starts since returning to action last month and could have a part to play if he takes to fences at the first attempt.

Form: F014-43

Roccowithlove^t1²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 93| D

40/1

Newbury hurdles winner in February 2020. Failed to complete all 3 starts over fences last season, though, and his race again ended prematurely when pulled up on return/debut for new yard at Sedgefield. Tongue tie goes on.

Form: 1/3PFP-P

Onestepatatime^p1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 87| BF| D

17/2

Shaping up well over fences, yet to be asked for effort when falling 2 out on return at Hexham and respectable third to Sir Apollo over 27f at Sedgefield (soft) last time. Down 2 lb and she could figure in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 4922-F3

Gibberwell²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: J Coulson| OR: 87

28/1

Ex-Irish hurdler who landed a Wexford maiden in 2020. Little impact since and didn't impress with his jumping on chase debut here earlier this month.

Form: 45P6-P7

Sir Apollo³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 87

5/1

Off the mark in 27f Sedgefield handicap chase last month from Espoir Moriviere, jumping much better than previously returned to front-running and having no issues with the longer trip. Likely to give another good account off this 5 lb higher mark.

Form: 5524-41

Beat The Edge^b1,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81

11/1

Runner-up sole completed start in points but no great encouragement over hurdles. Better than on chase debut when fourth of 8 here (19.4f, soft) this month but more will be needed now back up in trip if he's to get his head in front. New headgear.

Form: 4004-P4

Black Opium²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 79

25/1

Long-standing maiden who made more impact than previously from 4 lb out of the weights when runner-up back from 8 months off at Newcastle last month. Drop to 19.4f perhaps against her here next time but others preferred all the same.

Form: 4F64-26

Espoir Moriviere³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Dylan Johnston⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 79| CD

15/2

Twice a winner over hurdles and good start in this sphere when runner-up in a C&D handicap during the spring. Again found just one (Sir Apollo) too good at Sedgefield (26.9f, soft) last month and should make his presence felt.

Form: 3P24-72

Non-Runners

Fever Roque²³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: R Menzies J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

Aire Valley Lad (9/2), Sir Apollo (5/1), Espoir Moriviere (15/2), Trevelyn's Corn (8/1), Fever Roque (8/1), Onestepatatime (17/2), Get Prepared (9/1), Jean Genie (9/1), Court At Slip (10/1), Beat The Edge (11/1), Concrete King (16/1), Black Opium (25/1), Gibberwell (28/1), Roccowithlove (40/1)

SIR APOLLO opened his account with a bit to spare at Sedgefield last month and seems sure to go well once more after a 5 lb rise if his jumping holds up again. Aire Valley Lad looks to have turned over a new leaf and is respected after scoring here 3 weeks ago. Get Prepared, on chase debut, and Espoir Moriviere are a couple of others to consider.