12:05 Ludlow

Wednesday 20 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Alpha Aggregates Handicap Hurdle (Female Amateur Jockeys)

Off time: 12:05 | Winning time: 5m 26.15s

Whatsupwithyou^p,t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Megan Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 118

10/1

Stepped up on his comeback when ninth of 20 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (21f, soft) 33 days ago. This is a bit less competitive but it's worth pointing out that he doesn't have the best of strike rates.

Form: 224-349

The Bomber Liston^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Lily Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 115

4/1

Fairly useful hurdler who didn't convince in trio of starts over fences earlier this year. Took a step back in the right direction when third in 12-runner C&D handicap hurdle last month but needs to build on that now.

Form: 6-U5543

Mamoon Star^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Fern O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113

9/1

Kept good company in bumpers and made a successful debut over hurdles at Taunton (16.5f) in November last year. More miss than hit since, however, beaten well before the longer trip became an issue at Sandown (19.8f) on most recent outing.

Form: 1633-2P

The Turtle Said²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Brodie Hampson| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 111

16/1

Fair bumper performer who improved sent handicapping up in trip over hurdles, making it back-to-back wins when scoring in good style at Worcester (20f) in August 2022. Shaped as if retaining all his ability after 15 months off when fourth at Wincanton recently and that should have brought him on.

Form: 83/211-4

Haas Boy⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 110WS

7/2

Would have made a winning handicap debut in this race 12 months ago but for falling at the last (9 lengths clear at time). Hasn't reproduced that kind of form since but had excuses on Warwick chasing bow/return and looks interesting now returning to hurdling. Had breathing operation.

Form: F4526-8

The Height Of Fame^p,t⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss A Procter⁽⁷⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 108| D

11/1

Progressive from a low base last season, completing 4-timer at Exeter (21.6f). Handicapper looked in control judged on trio of starts upon returning this summer but back to winning ways from an easing mark (also tongue tied) at Wincanton in October. Up 7 lb but still much respected.

Form: 40-2451

Hermes Boy^b1,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Ella Herbison⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 108

17/2

Not scored since 2021 and was below par over hurdles and fences last month. Blinkered for first time.

Form: 2P60-P6

The Famous Five²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss Lucy Turner| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 106| BF

11/4

Fairly useful 10f Flat winner in France in 2021 and changed hands for €250,000 after. Only twice raced for current yard over hurdles since but showed promise after 21 months off when third of 6 in minor event here (21.2f, soft) 23 days ago. Significantly back up in trip for handicap bow.

Form: 9/33

Kazontherazz²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 104

16/1

Fair hurdler who saw her race out better on the back of a breathing operation when third in 10-runner contest at Hereford (25.5f, good to soft) 29 days ago. Likely to give her running again.

Form: 22U-443

Sehayli⁷³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Ellie Mayo⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 85

80/1

Modest handicap hurdler who completed hat-trick in 2020/21 for Johnny Farrelly but hasn't really scaled the same heights since. 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 0P/6-P47

Forecasts

The Famous Five (11/4), Haas Boy (7/2), The Bomber Liston (4/1), Hermes Boy (17/2), Mamoon Star (9/1), Whatsupwithyou (10/1), The Height Of Fame (11/1), Kazontherazz (16/1), The Turtle Said (16/1), Sehayli (80/1)

HAAS BOY would have made a winning handicap debut in this race 12 months ago but for falling at the last and is taken to gain compensation from a 5 lb lower mark. The Famous Five is an unexposed handicap debutant for a red-hot yard and has to be feared, while The Turtle Said shaped as if retaining all his ability on his recent return at Wincanton and completes the shortlist.