15:13 Wincanton

Monday 26 December 2022

All12:1812:5313:2814:0314:3815:1315:45

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:14 | Winning time: 6m 8.14s

Annual Invictus¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Gordon| OR: 139

6/1

Didn't really kick on over fences following a promising start last autumn but revived back in this sphere, winning on seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham (3m, good). Progress halted by 4 lb higher mark there last time and he also needs treating with caution (has taken little interest).

Form: 33V-P13

Umbrigado^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 136

14/1

Took full advantage of his lower hurdles mark when scoring at Newton Abbot (26.5f) in October and shaped as if still in good form in first-time blinkers back chasing at Cheltenham (20.2f, good) last month. Back over timber today and fancied to go well.

Form: 03P-210

Fidux³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 133

33/1

Likeable type who showed surprising stamina upped to a marathon distance for the first time when fourth in the Scottish National in April, albeit beaten 24 lengths. Pulled up at Sandown next time and shaped as if needing the run on a rare start in this sphere at Newbury last month.

Form: 6354P-0

Stellar Magic^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131| BF

11/2

Impressed when landing pair of novice hurdles during 2020/21 campaign. Good start to last season when runner-up in a 19f Haydock handicap but failed to build on that thereafter and his reappearance offered little signs of a revival. Headgear back on today.

Form: P/2P44-P

Eminent Poet²³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Ned Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130| D

16/1

Useful staying hurdler who goes well in the mud. Showed he retains most of his ability after 27 months off when fourth at Exeter in February but ran some way below the level of his hurdles form first time up over fences at Ludlow in May. Lurks on an attractive mark back over timber.

Form: 1802/4-2

Copperhead²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 129| CD

7/1

Grade 2 novice chase winner in early-2020. His career has been rather disappointing since though, unseating when well backed on return at Ascot and finishing well held over timber earlier this month.

Form: P50/P-U5

Flemcara^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 129

18/1

Dual winner in 2020/21 but not really looked like winning since his reappearance at Newbury last season. Mark has tumbled as a result but would require a leap of faith to support.

Form: 23P6-40

Barbados Buck's^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128| D

9/2

Endured a disappointing 2021/22 season but got back on track following a wind op after 9 months off when third at Newbury last month. That outing likely to have blown away any cobwebs so he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 0/3PP9-3

Steal A March^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

4/1

Not a straightforward ride but proved less of a handful than on his chasing debut when scoring at Worcester (23f, good to soft) back in June. Put up a career-best effort when runner-up at Newbury last month and he's fancied to be on the premises today.

Form: P12/212

Jepeck³⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 11-1| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 126| C

17/2

Still a useful hurdler despite his veteran status, scoring here in January and solid efforts to make the frame after. Shaped as if retaining at least most of his ability after 8 months off at Uttoxeter recently and could have a say in things.

Form: 13224-4

Potters Venture³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 110

22/1

Fairly useful hurdler for Philip Hobbs who finally matched that form over fences on his yard debut when bagging 4-runner handicap at Newton Abbot (25.8f) in October. Back over timber today and unlikely to feature from out of the weights.

Form: F53-P18

Forecasts

Steal A March (4/1), Barbados Buck's (9/2), Stellar Magic (11/2), Annual Invictus (6/1), Copperhead (7/1), Jepeck (17/2), Umbrigado (14/1), Eminent Poet (16/1), Flemcara (18/1), Potters Venture (22/1), Fidux (33/1)

Plenty of these arrive with questions to answer so STEAL A MARCH could be the way to go. Nicky Henderson's charge put up a career-best effort in defeat when bumping into an unexposed one at Newbury last month and there's every chance he can regain the winning thread today. Eminent Poet lurks on an attractive mark back hurdling so he heads up the dangers, ahead of Barbados Buck's and 13-y-o Jepeck.