13:35 Warwick

Saturday 31 December 2022

All11:5512:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Poundland Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 6m 46.39s

Young Butler^b1⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

16/1

Did well over hurdles last season, winning twice and signing off with close second in Exeter handicap. Very inauspicious start in failing to complete both starts over fences this term but return to timber/fitting of blinkers may revitalise him now.

Form: 1P12-UR

Rocco^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117

50/1

Ended a long losing run when 40/1-winner of Badger Beers at Wincanton last season. Completely lost his form thereafter and pulled up at Sandown last time. Lots to prove back hurdling.

Form: 1PP5-7P

Sporting Ace³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 115| C

4/1

Jumped well when landing 25f maiden at Warwick on hurdle debut in May. Runner-up both runs since, on handicap debut at Southwell (3m) last month. Considered.

Form: 521-122

Ernesto⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 115| D

50/1

Capitalised on a drop in grade when resuming winning ways at Hereford (25.5f) in October. Too much on his plate in a Class 2 Cheltenham handicap next time but reportedly bled so has something to prove.

Form: 157-518

Lucky So And So²⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: David Prichard⁽⁵⁾| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 112

11/1

Well held in a bumper but very much caught the eye upped markedly in trip when third on hurdling debut at Exeter. Similar form subsequently and may improve switched to handicaps after 9 months off.

Form: 8334-

Cawthorne Lad²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112

16/1

Posted another good run over hurdles at Leicester (2m4f) 24 days ago and this stiffer test will suit so he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 3-32443

Lord Snootie⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 112

9/1

Won sole outing in Irish points. Has shown promise in his three runs over hurdles, fourth of 16 in Chepstow novice last month. Remains with potential now going handicapping over a much longer trip.

Form: 1374

Last Quarter^p⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 111

10/1

Improved on return (after wind op) as he opened his account over hurdles in 23f Lingfield handicap last month. Much respected despite 3 lb rise.

Form: 7245P-1

Potters Hedger^b,t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 110| CD

25/1

C&D scorer for Lucy Wadham but winless since early 2021. Pulled up on yard in Huntingdon handicap chase so has it to prove back over hurdles with blinkers back on.

Form: 64383-P

Farmer's Gamble⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 109

15/2

Dual winner last season who posted a good second of 7 to Langley Hundred in handicap at Ludlow (23.8f) 40 days ago. Can give another good account despite 2 lb rise.

Form: 4161-62

Nickelsonthedime^p,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁵⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 109| C

12/1

Fair hurdler who opened his account earlier here in May. Back on track when third of 5 in handicap at Taunton (23.9f) 37 days ago. Can make presence felt eased 2 lb now.

Form: 34-1353

Langley Hundred^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽¹⁰⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 109

6/1

Arrives on a hat-trick after 23f handicap wins at Exeter and Ludlow. Up 6 lb but he merits serious consideration with this longer trip a plus.

Form: 543-211

One Fer Mamma^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ned Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 106| CD

10/3

C&D winner who resumed after 9 months off with respectable third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Haydock (24.3f) 31 days ago. Merits consideration.

Form: 23121-3

Forecasts

One Fer Mamma (10/3), Sporting Ace (4/1), Langley Hundred (6/1), Farmer's Gamble (15/2), Lord Snootie (9/1), Last Quarter (10/1), Lucky So And So (11/1), Nickelsonthedime (12/1), Cawthorne Lad (16/1), Young Butler (16/1), Potters Hedger (25/1), Rocco (50/1), Ernesto (50/1)

Plenty are in with a shout. LANGLEY HUNDRED arrives at the top of his game and, with this first go beyond 3m looking a plus, he is fancied to complete a quick hat-trick. C&D winner One Fer Mamma heads the list of dangers ahead of Nickelsonthedime, who is also weighted to have a say.