13:15 Catterick

Sunday 1 January 2023

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Download The Vickers.Bet App Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 6m 49.13s

Sight Nor Seen^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 100

80/1

Fair hurdler/chaser in Ireland at his best but has struggled this season, including on C&D stable debut in November.

Form: 4-00P55

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Tartan Cookie^b³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 93

28/1

Responded well to first-time blinkers when landing a 3m Newcastle novice in February but largely below par since and failed to make an impact following a wind op/break at Kelso in November.

Form: 168-348

Ribeye⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Willmott⁽³⁾| T: P Atkinson| OR: 89

14/1

Improved when stepped up to 3m last season, winning at Newcastle in April. Off 7 months, probably needed the run when well held there in November. Claims if back to his best.

Form: F421-70

Just Jess⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 86

7/2

Up and down since landing a 2m Hexham novice last December but latest 3m Newcastle third was a big step back in the right direction and she's a major player here if able to back that up.

Form: 6209-03

Kilganer Queen^t²¹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: A West| OR: 83

11/1

Multiple winner in Ireland and scored for this yard at Sedgefield in April 2021. Below form over hurdles this season but her mark has come down as a result and latest chase second was a bit better. One of the more likely types.

Form: 25-6472

Monticello⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: N Mechie| OR: 80

7/1

Dual Flat winner who ran well when placed in handicaps at Carlisle/Hexham on first 2 starts of present campaign. However, not so good last twice so a bounce back is needed.

Form: 0/P-335P

Storm Force One^v⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: G Sheehan| T: P D Niven| OR: 80

15/2

Several decent bits and pieces of form to her name, including when second in a 5-runner handicap over 23f at Market Rasen in November. However, it's hard to ignore the fact that she's 0-19 overall.

Form: 2633-92

Punta Prima^b1⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: William Maggs⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 77

12/1

In good hands but has yet to better poor form and he's made no impact on both handicap starts. First-time blinkers need to make a difference.

Form: 0653P-7

Sir Jim^p1⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 75

10/1

Hasn't shown much in half-a-dozen appearances over hurdles and, unless the addition of cheekpieces spark sudden improvement, he will probably come up short once again.

Form: 5880-69

My Strong Man⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 75| BF

7/2

Confirmed he retains ability on the back of a 19-month absence when third at Ayr in October but only a respectable sixth over 3m at Musselburgh since.

Form: 849F/36

Kildrum^p⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 73

8/1

Made all in 3m Hexham handicap chase in May and ran well again at that venue when third on return in November. Should be bang there if he can reproduce that form back over hurdles.

Form: 6545-13

Howzat Hiris⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 72

18/1

Produced best effort so far when third in 3m Wetherby handicap at the end of March. However, she hasn't come close to matching that form in 3 subsequent starts.

Form: 053-469

Non-Runners

Oliver's Island¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 11

T: J Bedi J: Miss J I Bedi

Forecasts

Oliver's Island (5/2), Just Jess (7/2), My Strong Man (7/2), Monticello (7/1), Storm Force One (15/2), Kildrum (8/1), Sir Jim (10/1), Kilganer Queen (11/1), Punta Prima (12/1), Ribeye (14/1), Howzat Hiris (18/1), Tartan Cookie (28/1), Sight Nor Seen (80/1)

In a contest where few arrive with solid claims JUST JESS is given a chance to build on a good third at Newcastle last time. Kildrum could be a threat if he can translate his recent good chase form back to the smaller obstacles. Veteran mare Kilganer Queen is also on the shortlist, while Oliver's Island would also enter the reckoning if showing up here rather than at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve.