15:15 Catterick

Monday 13 February 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:15

Download The Vickers.Bet App Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 3m 43.77s

Didtheyleaveuoutto²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: B Haslam| OR: 129| D

22/1

Useful sort who reached the frame for the second year running in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.5f) in October. Below par since, including on debut for this yard on the Flat last time, but dangerous to discount down in class with conditions in his favour.

Form: 220-439

Takeit Easy¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 128| D

4/1

Improved again when winning over 2m at Wetherby in October 2021. Creditable efforts in defeat next 2 starts and, likely to be sharper following his recent comeback run at Cheltenham (first start following a 14-month absence), he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 12124-0

Fruit N Nut¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| CD

16/5

Dual soft-ground bumper winner in 2021 and doubled tally over hurdles when accounting for 6 rivals at Sedgefield (16.8f) 15 days ago. That was on soft ground, too, but forecast conditions here won't be a problem and should remain competitive following a 4 lb rise.

Form: 10/1-301

First Impression¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Billy Garritty| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 122| D

4/1

Good second of 10 off a 2 lb higher mark at Huntingdon (15.8) in December but performed poorly at Musselburgh on New Year's Day. Again below par on the Flat recently and looks vulnerable from a win point of view.

Form: 323-429

Inca Prince^h⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 121| CD

7/1

Free-going front-runner who won a pair of Musselburgh juveniles at the start of 2022. It's been a struggle since, though, both in this sphere and on the Flat, and he needs to bounce back.

Form: 151P-06

El Muchacho^h,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 119| CD

5/2

Point winner who has improved with each of his 4 starts over hurdles, making it 2-2 in handicap company when battling well to prevail over C&D (heavy) last time. This revised mark demands more and now has quicker ground to contend with but he remains unexposed and a bold show is anticipated.

Form: 243211

Red Force One¹⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 111| D

20/1

Completed a hat-trick on the Flat last summer but has failed to continue the good work back hurdling the last twice, and you have to go back to July 2020 for his latest success in this sphere.

Form: 6/06P-55

Bonne Vitesse⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110| D

33/1

Fair winning hurdler who wasn't discredited when third on return at Hexham in November. However, subsequent Wetherby effort was lacklustre and she now has a point to prove.

Form: 1531-30

Forecasts

El Muchacho (5/2), Fruit N Nut (16/5), First Impression (4/1), Takeit Easy (4/1), Inca Prince (7/1), Red Force One (20/1), Didtheyleaveuoutto (22/1), Bonne Vitesse (33/1)

A chance is taken on DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO, who isn't the easiest to win with but he typically contests stronger handicaps than this and will have every chance down in trip here with conditions to suit if the mood takes. While the hat-trick seeking El Muchacho and recent Sedgefield scorer Fruit N Nut are greatly respected, if Takeit Easy builds on his recent comeback run at Cheltenham he could emerge as the main danger.