13:00 Hereford

Wednesday 4 January 2023

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Cazoo Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 5m 4.55s

Fazayte^p,t1⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: R Potter| OR: 99

5/2

Been in good order this campaign, adding to his tally over fences at Market Rasen (19f) last month prior to another sound effort when runner-up over hurdles on Boxing Day. Looks a sound player operating from same mark.

Form: 0-51312

Leading Swoop¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 99

16/1

Unplaced in 4 Irish points and only minor promise on first of his 3 starts over hurdles. However, does now get a crack at handicaps so interesting what the market makes of him.

Form: 64/66-75

Land Of My Delight⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Lily Pinchin| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 96

7/2

Fair maiden who returned to form when fifth in big-field Taunton handicap (19f) in November, coming from a long way back having nearly come down early on. Possible he can do better still and not out of things.

Form: 005-245

Midnight Gold⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁸⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95

7/1

Minor promise in handful of starts in Ireland and, having switched yards, she showed improved form when third in a mares' handicap at Fontwell (19.2f) in November, headway between last 2 and staying on. That may not prove her limit.

Form: 87040-3

Maillot Blanc⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Hogan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 94

8/1

Sulamani gelding who returned to form when third in 16-runner Hexham handicap (20f, heavy) 7 weeks ago. However, record is a somewhat patchy one so no sure thing to be in same form here.

Form: 376603

Atjima^b²⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: David Prichard| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 94

40/1

Fair bumper winner who offered definite promise in mares' novice/maidens prior to falling before race had taken shape on handicap bow at Bangor (19.5f) back in April. Remains with potential on return to action. Blinkers back on.

Form: 1/0667F-

Calidad⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B Roberts⁽⁸⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 91

14/1

Below par over fences this season, seventh of 9 in handicap here (20.9f) back in November. Needs to get back on track making handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 545-P37

Henri Le Bon^b⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Angus Cheleda| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 88

10/1

Remains a maiden but went close on a couple of occasions at Uttoxeter during the summer. Below best when fourth in 7-runner Ludlow handicap in November though, and he goes back up in trip now.

Form: 532244

Entre Deux⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J R Wildman⁽⁵⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 87

40/1

Remains a maiden but he did show first form over fences when runner-up at Fontwell (21.6f, soft) when last seen in February. Needs to back that up on return back over smaller obstacles.

Form: 55PFP2-

Unwanted Attention^t1²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison| T: R Potter| OR: 87

18/1

Well held only start in bumpers but this low-mileage sort did offer definite hope for better still on his qualifying hurdles run at Uttoxeter (19.9f) 4 weeks ago, not knocked about. Open to improvement now handicapping and one to monitor in the betting. Tongue tie fitted.

Form: 6850

Sans Of Gold⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Buckley| T: J D Frost| OR: 83

80/1

Unplaced completed start in points and hasn't offered much in 3 runs over a variety of trips over hurdles to date. Still, entitled to hold more chance now handicapping.

Form: 5-P475

Baliyad^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Finn Lambert| T: M Sheppard| OR: 82

28/1

8-y-o who bagged a Stratford selling handicap in September and has run well in defeat on his last 3 starts, best work at the finish when runner-up at Taunton (16.5f) 4 weeks ago. Step back up in trip rates a plus on that evidence.

Form: 66P222

Spiritus Mundi^p⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Shane Quinlan| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 82

80/1

Maiden was in the processing of running well when taking a heavy fall in a Worcester handicap chase in October. Tried to refuse at the first last time, so this switch to hurdles perhaps acts as a confidence booster. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 2574FF

Doyens De Ante^t1⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Tristan Durrell| T: M Young| OR: 80

14/1

Returned with respectable fifth here (21.7f, good to soft) 57 days ago. Eased 2 lb subsequently but he will need to step up on that to feature equipped with a first-time tongue tie.

Form: FP356-5

Justshortofabubble¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Conor Ring| T: G Harris| OR: 79

16/1

Left previous form well behind when going close over 19f at Taunton in March. Followed that with a respectable effort at Chepstow but he's proved to be a disappointment both starts so far this winter.

Form: 7924-85

Kimberley Eve^t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁸⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74

28/1

Modest in bumpers and has fared no better sent hurdling this season, finishing well held all 3 starts. However, she's in good hands so improvement not ruled out now attentions switch to handicaps. Market may prove a useful guide.

Form: 033-000

Forecasts

Fazayte (5/2), Land Of My Delight (7/2), Midnight Gold (7/1), Maillot Blanc (8/1), Henri Le Bon (10/1), Calidad (14/1), Doyens De Ante (14/1), Leading Swoop (16/1), Justshortofabubble (16/1), Unwanted Attention (18/1), Baliyad (28/1), Kimberley Eve (28/1), Atjima (40/1), Entre Deux (40/1), Spiritus Mundi (80/1), Sans Of Gold (80/1)

FAZAYTE comes here in fine form, adding to his tally over fences prior to a good second over hurdles at Market Rasen 9 days ago. He looks a sound player off the same mark and earns the vote. Land Of My Delight, who caught the eye at Taunton on his latest outing, rates a lead threat, whilst the selection's stablemate Unwanted Attention caught the eye on his qualifying run at Uttoxeter and demands a market check.