16:00 Hereford

Wednesday 4 January 2023

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

Black Mountain Botanicals Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 36.5s

Henschke^t⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 102WS

8/1

Yet to get his head in front and shaped as if better for the run after 9 months off when mid-field at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft) on seasonal reappearance in November. Had a breathing op and could do better with attentions switched to chasing.

Form: 22F3P-5

Not Sure^b1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 99

7/1

Still looking for first success but made the frame on several occasions over hurdles. Failed to come on for reappearance when a well-beaten fourth at Uttoxeter 6 weeks ago and hopes now pinned on first-time blinkers sparking a revival.

Form: 3P2-444

Skinflint³²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 98WS

9/2

Consistent sort who posted a good second in handicap chase at Hereford (20.9f) when last seen out 10 months ago. Much respected on the back of a breathing operation with yard in fine form.

Form: 227/232-

Ben Brody^b²⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 95

50/1

Made a winning return over timber at Uttoxeter last season but shaped as if needing the run in that corresponding event prior to departing last month. Handicapper given him a squeak but he may prove vulnerable to younger legs.

Form: 12545-B

Wind Tor²⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Chloe Emsley⁽⁷⁾| T: P Gundry| OR: 94

22/1

Back-to-back handicap chase winner over 3m at Exeter in March. Not in the same form at Warwick next start and carried zero win threat making his hunter debut when last seen at Cheltenham (25.2f, good) 8 months ago. Returns from her last winning mark but inexperienced rider booked.

Form: 42115-3

Lazy Sunday^t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 93| BF

5/1

Didn't always look an easy ride over hurdles last term but showed an aptitude for this game when third on return/chase debut at Worcester (23f). Possibilities if able to put her subsequent first-fence fall at Taunton behind her.

Form: 8244-3F

Uberman⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Daniel Kyne⁽⁷⁾| T: K Davis| OR: 90

14/1

Stepped up on his reappearance when third of 7 in handicap chase at Lingfield (16f, good to soft, 7/1) just under 6 weeks ago. Greater test of stamina here should be beneficial and he's respected.

Form: 1722-73

Rock On Rita^p1⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 88| D

22/1

Point winner who took 2 mares' handicap hurdles last season but has struggled in a pair of starts over fences so far (shaped as if amiss first occasion). Cheekpieces applied today but best watched.

Form: 131-668

Dawn Wonder⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 85

150/1

Modest form at best over hurdles in Ireland and no promise on debut for this yard at Ludlow in November. Best watched on chase debut.

Form: 0/900-99

Kestrel Valley^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 84| BF

5/1

Was really getting the hang of things over fences as last season ended but little to shout about on both outings so far this season, running a moody sort of race at Ffos Las (23.8f, soft) 40 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 4342-64

Shaw's Cross¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: P Henderson| OR: 84

9/2

Built on encouraging return over hurdles when good second in 2m Lingfield handicap chase in November. Unlucky to bump into another handicap blot at Plumpton next time and he's proving consistent at present so has to be high on the shortlist.

Form: P24-222

Tanrudy⁵⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 81| D

20/1

Modest operator who has just the one success to his name. Makes return for a new yard after 16 months off the track and this should reveal what ability remains.

Form: 4/62239-

Demothi²²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 75

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler. Keeping on in fourth when unseated rider last on chasing debut but ran to just a poor level when completing in third at Newton Abbot a month later. Percentage call is to look elsewhere on reappearance.

Form: 3/P64U-3

Non-Runners

Alberic⁴⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: P Hobbs & J White J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Skinflint (9/2), Shaw's Cross (9/2), Lazy Sunday (5/1), Kestrel Valley (5/1), Not Sure (7/1), Henschke (8/1), Uberman (14/1), Alberic (14/1), Tanrudy (20/1), Rock On Rita (22/1), Wind Tor (22/1), Demothi (33/1), Ben Brody (50/1), Dawn Wonder (150/1)

SHAW'S CROSS is yet to taste success over the larger obstacles but Paul Henderson's charge is proving consistent this season so he's fancied to get the job done at the expense of Lazy Sunday, who showed an aptitude for chasing when third at Worcester on return and should still improve provided a first-fence fall at Taunton was just a minor bump in the road. Skinflint and Wind Tor round off the shortlist.