17:15 Kempton

Sunday 22 October 2023

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Racing TV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 5m 5.01s

Whatsupwithyou^p,t¹⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 121

5/1

Scored at Uttoxeter in early 2022 and posted a series of solid efforts last term without getting his head in front. Has won when fresh so he's a likely contender.

Form: 45224-3

Shallow River²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 118

10/3

Fairly useful 2m winner for Fergal O'Brien who posted a very good second for his new yard in handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot (21.6f, soft) 20 days ago. Can make his presence felt again despite a 2 lb rise.

Form: 4-62242

Oscars Moonshine^p²⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| D

6/1

Returned to form in first-time cheekpieces when landing 21f handicap hurdle at Wincanton 6 months ago. Up 7 lb but he's still weighted to go close on his seasonal return with the headgear again sported.

Form: 2/56651-

Breaking Waves^b³⁰⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 117| D

10/1

Untrustworthy individual for Harry Whittington who signed off last term with a below-form third at Ludlow (21.2f, soft) 10 months ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 601233-

Milldam^h1,t¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 114

5/1

Fairly useful hurdler who opened his account on the back of a breathing operation/9 weeks off in 2m maiden at Huntingdon in March. Does need to bounce back from a couple of disappointing efforts since, though, on his reappearance.

Form: 236149-

Presenting Pete²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: J Mackie| OR: 111| BF

9/1

Looked on the up when bagging 2m4f handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in August but he turned in a rare poor effort when pulled up at Warwick (21f) 27 days ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 5F421P

Blue Shark¹²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 111| D

9/1

Highly progressive last season and, while his latest run was a tame effort, there's a good chance he can get back on the up after 4 months off, so not dismissed.

Form: 1114-16

Sami Bear¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 102| CD

11/2

Fair C&D winner in February who looked rusty after 5 months off when ninth of 12 in handicap at Fontwell (19.2f, good) 16 days ago. No surprise to see him take a big step forward.

Form: 2U1-6F9

Non-Runners

Decorated²⁰⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: O Signy J: Non Runner

Awaythelad²¹⁸

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: B Pauling J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Shallow River (10/3), Awaythelad (4/1), Decorated (4/1), Whatsupwithyou (5/1), Milldam (5/1), Sami Bear (11/2), Oscars Moonshine (6/1), Presenting Pete (9/1), Blue Shark (9/1), Breaking Waves (10/1)

A case can be made for plenty of these but the most persuasive one is for DECORATED who ended last term with back-to-back victories and can carry on where he left off on his seasonal return after undergoing breathing surgery. Milton Harris' new recruit Shallow River is feared most on the back of a good recent Newton Abbot second, although the likes of Oscars Moonshine, Whatsupwithyou and Sami Bear all need factoring in too.