15:10 Fakenham

Tuesday 19 December 2023

All12:1012:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:10

Each Business Circle Norfolk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 6m 49.47s

Edison Kent^p³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: James Owen| OR: 108WS

8/1

Runner-up twice in this sphere at Worcester in September and his effort when third returned to fences here (24.2f, soft) last time (since undergone a wind op) was respectable. However, not for the first time he looked less than straightforward and looks vulnerable back hurdling.

Form: 422443

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Copshill Lad^t⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Reed| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 108| BF

7/2

Yet to really build on the promise of his impressive bumper success but he has put in good shifts both starts since returning to action in October, latterly hitting the crossbar at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft). Claims up 2 lb on debut for new yard.

Form: 453-F32

Hillfinch^p1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 97

5/1

Won mares' handicap at Huntingdon in March but she's failed to fire both starts so far this season and hopes pinned on the first-time cheekpieces sparking a return to form.

Form: 2127-56

William Ewart^p1,t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 90| D

11/2

Convincing winner in this sphere at Bangor in March and bettered previous efforts over fences when runner-up in a handicap chase at Wincanton (15.7f, soft). Sports first-time cheekpieces returned to the smaller obstacles here and this step back up in trip will be in his favour.

Form: 012-842

Beaufort West^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: A Irvine| OR: 84| D

4/1

Has slipped to a very attractive mark, now some 17 lb below the mark of his latest success at Uttoxeter in March 2022. Still, he hasn't shown enough in 2 starts since returning from a break to suggest that he's about to take advantage of the handicapper's mercy.

Form: 3P9-564

Tiny Tantrum^p²⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Murphy & M Keady| OR: 83

13/2

Off the mark in a 2¾m Stratford handicap hurdle in the mud when last seen in April. Still favourably weighted after a 3 lb rise and could have a say in the finish if fully tuned-up for this assignment.

Form: 554561-

Rolling River^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: O Signy| OR: 80

11/2

Fair bumper winner but hasn't got close to that level over hurdles thus far and looks set for another struggle.

Form: 0P703-P

Non-Runners

The Wise Traveller²⁴

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: Mrs S J Humphrey J: B Roberts

Forecasts

The Wise Traveller (11/4), Copshill Lad (7/2), Beaufort West (4/1), Hillfinch (5/1), William Ewart (11/2), Rolling River (11/2), Tiny Tantrum (13/2), Edison Kent (8/1)

The vote goes to THE WISE TRAVELLER, who made every post a winning one back in this sphere at Huntingdon on his second start for this yard and a 5 lb rise may not be enough to prevent him from going in again. Copshill Lad is 0-7 over hurdles but he has lost little caste in defeat the last twice and is second choice. Tiny Tantrum will be a threat if ready to roll following eight months off and William Ewart also enters calculations.