15:15 Wincanton

Tuesday 12 December 2023

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:1515:45

Woolston Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 5m 30.58s

King Of Brazil^t1¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 105

11/1

Modest form in bumpers but much better signs over hurdles, confirming debut promise when landing 2m novice at Warwick in March. Signed off with a poor run, however, and hasn't shown much in 2 starts switched to fences this season. Tongue strap added.

Form: 3138-84

Hot Rod Lincoln^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: H Fry| OR: 105

13/2

Successful on sole outing in Irish points and was getting his act together over hurdles towards the end of last season, opening his account in a novice at Fontwell in May. However, disappointing start in this sphere on return at Warwick.

Form: 45P3-1P

Kraqueline²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 105| BF| CD

7/2

Fair maiden hurdler who took her form up a level when winning 9-runner handicap chase here (20.2f, soft) on debut over fences in October. This 8 lb higher mark proved beyond her at Warwick next time, though.

Form: 4375-16

Kingofthewest^b,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 104

4/1

Dual hurdles winner who is entitled to come on for his reappearance/chase debut fourth at Taunton (18.2f, good to soft) last month. 2 lb lowe now and merits respect in what looks a winnable race.

Form: 735B3-4

Has Troke^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: A M Hales| OR: 101

16/1

Fair hurdler who was more miss than hit last season and never landed a blow at Lingfield on chase bow/return. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 4/9276-6

Chankaya^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 99

9/1

Fair form at best on the Flat and runner-up twice from half-a-dozen starts over hurdles, including in a 13-runner handicap here (19.8f, soft) last time. Possibilities if he takes to fences at the first attempt.

Form: 98-2482

Sherborne^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 99| D

11/1

Landed a double over hurdles during the spring and first form over fences when runner-up in a handicap chase at Exeter (17.5f, soft) in October. Better than bare result at Kempton next time and no surprise to see him involved in the finish here.

Form: 8-11424

Moytier^h1,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: S Hosie| OR: 98

12/1

Decent placed efforts 3 of last 4 starts, including switched to fences the last twice, latterly over this C&D (soft). 1 lb lower now and he's in with an each-way shout. Also engaged 3.10 Fontwell.

Form: 6-72533

Bonza Boy^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: J Scott| OR: 93| BF

5/1

Didn't kick on from a promising reappearance over hurdles last season. Positives to glean from his efforts over fences at Chepstow and Warwick but improvement will be needed if he's to make it third time lucky in this sphere.

Form: 25584-4

Pencil¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 71

22/1

Appeared to take a step forward when placed on third start over fences at Bangor in October but has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts. 8 lb 'wrong' at the weights.

Form: P36-374

Non-Runners

Grosvenor Court³⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: D J Jeffreys J: Thomas Bellamy

Fame And Fun²⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Bryony Frost

Forecasts

Kraqueline (7/2), Kingofthewest (4/1), Bonza Boy (5/1), Fame And Fun (6/1), Hot Rod Lincoln (13/2), Chankaya (9/1), Sherborne (11/1), King Of Brazil (11/1), Moytier (12/1), Grosvenor Court (14/1), Has Troke (16/1), Pencil (22/1)

The vote goes to KINGOFTHEWEST, who should be all the better for his chase debut fourth at Taunton following a seven-month absence and this step back up in trip is a potentially good move. Sherborne probably would've finished closer but for a stumble at the third-last at Kempton last time and he is next on the list ahead of Moytier.