Bluenose Day 18th December Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 4m 52.85s

Linelee King⁶⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁶⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 121

12/1

Bumper/hurdle winner who made a winning chasing debut at Aintree in November 2021. Should've followed up at Ayr next time (sprawled badly mid-race) before being struck into at Sandown on final outing that season. Not seen since but has been given a chance by the assessor back over hurdles.

Form: 82513P/

Front View^t1,v1¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| BF

15/2

Useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland for Joseph O'Brien in 2020/21. Has been given a chance by the handicapper but failed to come on for recent run when only seventh of 12 in 21.2f handicap at Ludlow 13 days ago. First-time visor and tongue strap now enlisted.

Form: 0/78U-87

Sacchoandvanzetti^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116

10/3

Fair winning hurdler in Ireland for John Queally and has made the frame all 3 starts for new yard, including when fourth at Carlisle (20f) last month. Should go well again.

Form: 9-32224

Here Comes McCoy^t²⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Lewis Stones| T: O Murphy| OR: 116| C| D

11/2

Made an inauspicious start over fences but back on track quickly returned to hurdles when third at Market Rasen (23.1f) in February. Not disgraced when filling same spot back there the following month and shouldn't be far away if ready to roll after 8 months off.

Form: 216/U33-

Lord Of Cheshire⁵⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 114

10/3

Won twice in early 2022, supplementing his Ludlow maiden win with a hard-fought success on handicap bow at Wincanton (15.2f). Below form at Cheltenham on final outing that season and not seen since, but he returns with his stable still very much amongst the winners and this trip should suit.

Form: 62116/

Bon Retour³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Midgley| T: M Walford| OR: 112

10/3

Recorded back-to-back wins for Nicky Richards last year and, having dropped below her last winning mark, turned in her best effort for her current yard when third at Carlisle (20f) last month, running on late. Must enter calculations.

Form: 785-763

Barricane¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Lewis Saunders⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 102

8/1

Landed back-to-back handicaps in 2021 but has offered little both starts this season following a lengthy absence. 10-lb conditional now takes over in the saddle.

Form: 5311/00

Forecasts

Lord Of Cheshire (10/3), Bon Retour (10/3), Sacchoandvanzetti (10/3), Here Comes McCoy (11/2), Front View (15/2), Barricane (8/1), Linelee King (12/1)

A small field but competitive fare. BON RETOUR seems to be finding her form again having turned in her best effort of the season at Carlisle last month and, with the winner of that race going on to frank the form at Cheltenham last week, she's the percentage call. Lord of Cheshire has a big absence to overcome, but he's a low-mileage sort who returns with his yard still very much amongst the winners. Sacchoandvanzetti has done little wrong for his new stable and ought to be thereabouts again.