14:32 Wetherby

Saturday 14 January 2023

All12:1212:4713:2213:5714:3215:0715:42

Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:34 | Winning time: 5m 19.03s

Celestial Horizon^p¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 142

100/1

Doubled hurdles tally in fine style at Kilbeggan (17f) in May but not in anything like the same form when pulled up next 3 starts for Joseph O'Brien during the summer. Hopes pinned on a break/yard switch perking him up.

Form: 12-1PPP

Captain Zebo^t1⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 129| CD

15/2

Very useful handicapper who shaped as if he'd come on for first start for 5 months when midfield in 12-runner C&D handicap won by Iroko in November. Clearly retains plenty of enthusiasm at the age of 11 and the assessor has afforded him a chance.

Form: 445-746

Iroko^t⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: K Brogan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 128| CD

13/8

Definite promise in face of stiff tasks upon joining present yard last winter and he justified good support to make a winning return/handicap debut over C&D in November, staying on strongly to deny Foster'sisland. One of the least exposed and he's a lead player again.

Form: 4244-1

Rafferty's Return¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 128| CD

5/2

Scored twice as a novice (including over C&D) and all the better for his reappearance effort when edging out Foster'sisland over 21f here on Boxing Day. Remains low-mileage for an 8-y-o and not ruled out from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 1214-91

Foster'sisland¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 125| D

11/2

Progressive, 3-time winner over hurdles during 2021/22 who finished solid second for third time in 4 starts (edged out run-in by Rafferty's Return who had raced on opposite side of the course) over 21f here on Boxing Day. Mark has crept up a little more but he's of interest again.

Form: 032-282

Ashington¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 125| D

18/1

Solid efforts over C&D/Cheltenham upon joining present yard in the autumn and he was yet to be asked for his effort when brought down 4 out in race won by Rafferty's Return over 21f here on Boxing Day. His mark looks about right, though.

Form: P9352B

Hardi Du Mesnil⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

28/1

€250,000 acquisition on back of success in a French juvenile in early 2021 but seen only twice for present connections', offering little back from 11 months off at Aintree (20f) last month. Needs to leave that in his wake.

Form: F841/2-0

Hasty Brook^t1⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 123

22/1

Fairly useful form when landing a Clonmel maiden hurdle (16.7f) on final start for Joseph O'Brien 12 months ago. Similar form when runner-up in pair of novice hurdles thereafter for new yard and quickly switched back to timber having been pulled up on chase debut in November.

Form: 37/122-P

Eternally Yours²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 120| D

18/1

Snapped a losing run stretching back almost 4 years (albeit she's stood very little racing in that time) when quickening to lead close home at Ayr (20.5f) in November. In process of running creditably when falling back there since but this looks tougher.

Form: 323-41F

Polisud¹⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Billy Garritty| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 116

25/1

Fairly useful chase/hurdle winner at best in France, successful twice at Pau in 2020/21. Winless last year but not disgraced when midfield in 10-runner Bordeaux handicap hurdle (19.4f) when last seen in October. Interesting what the market makes of him for new stable.

Form: 434-956

Non-Runners

Ballybegg⁶⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: Kerry Lee J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Iroko (13/8), Rafferty's Return (5/2), Foster'sisland (11/2), Captain Zebo (15/2), Ballybegg (12/1), Ashington (18/1), Eternally Yours (18/1), Hasty Brook (22/1), Polisud (25/1), Hardi Du Mesnil (28/1), Celestial Horizon (100/1)

IROKO was well supported and duly showed improved form to make a winning return/handicap debut over C&D in November and, with further progress anticipated from this lightly-raced 5-y-o, he could well be up to defying this 5 lb higher mark having been given some time since. Old rival Rafferty's Return, and Foster'sisland, 1-2 over 21f here on Boxing Day, are others to consider, whilst veteran Captain Zebo is also worth a second look.