13:55 Doncaster

Thursday 29 December 2022

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:4015:1015:40

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 6m 0.45s

Erne River⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 140| C| D

13/2

Dual novice hurdles scorer and over fences at Doncaster and Wetherby last season. Back on track when second in a minor chase at Haydock last time and not discounted back over hurdles.

Form: 111F3-2

Uhtred²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

33/1

Useful hurdler who ended time with Joseph O'Brien in good heart, successful in 19.3f beginners' chase at Downpatrick in August. Hasn't made much of an impact for present connections, though, including back in this sphere the last twice.

Form: 11P337

Pounding Poet⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 134

6/1

Back on the up this season and again found plenty when scoring at Uttoxeter 76 days ago. He was cosily on top at the line there and this extra distance will suit.

Form: 270-141

Walking On Air²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132| BF

6/4

Well-bred 5-y-o who looked potentially smart in making a winning start over hurdles in a 2m novice at Newbury in January. Found Grade 1 all too much when next seen in the spring but solid return in a handicap back at Aintree and capable of better still if he stays.

Form: 2/1P-3

Doyen Breed²⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: A M Thomson| OR: 131| DWS

14/1

Progressive hurdler who landed 4-runner Hexham novice (3m) on chase debut last season and generally held his form subsequently. Might need this return back over smaller obstacles, though.

Form: 21222F-

Kansas City Chief^p⁶⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss Victoria Malzard⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 129| CD

40/1

Veteran who showed he retains ability at Wetherby on reappearance but was struggling a long way out at Cheltenham a couple of months ago. Others preferred.

Form: 2210-5P

Getalead^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: Claire Harris| OR: 128

12/1

Enhanced his very good strike-rate in handicaps when winning twice in quick succession in September and wasn't disgraced when sixth at Cheltenham 47 days ago. Others look better treated, though.

Form: 32-F116

Silver Flyer³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122| BF| D

10/3

Unexposed sort who made a solid start to his handicap career when second over 3m at Ayr on his reappearance. Only fourth at Carlisle since but can't be ruled out.

Form: 1122-24

Sirobbie^v²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 118

16/1

Fairly useful for David Bridgwater but showed nothing on debut for new yard at Sandown a month ago and others make more appeal.

Form: 423-157

Forecasts

Walking On Air (6/4), Silver Flyer (10/3), Pounding Poet (6/1), Erne River (13/2), Getalead (12/1), Doyen Breed (14/1), Sirobbie (16/1), Uhtred (33/1), Kansas City Chief (40/1)

WALKING ON AIR is still unexposed and, if he strips fitter for his reappearance at Aintree and gets the longer trip, he should be hard to beat. Pounding Poet is likely to arrive with a customary late run and Silver Flyer can't be discounted despite a lesser effort at Carlisle a month ago.