15:40 Kempton

Tuesday 26 December 2023

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Ladbrokes Get Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 10.9s

Mark Of Gold³²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| CD

17/2

Useful over hurdles with a good strike-rate, notching 3 more wins last season, including C&D. Also scored in a 2m handicap on the Flat at Goodwood in May. Shaped as if needing first run since when fifth of 6 over 2m at Ascot last month.

Form: 71F17-5

Will Carver^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| CD

5/2

C&D maiden winner in May 2021. Hasn't stood much racing since but returned from another lay-off to win a 19f Taunton handicap last month. Raised 9 lb but much respected for a yard with a good recent record in this contest.

Form: 3211/3-1

Kitty's Light²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 130

14/1

Most likeable staying chaser who signed off last season by landing an exceptional hat-trick, winning the Eider Chase, Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup. Low-key efforts in 3 outings this term (2 hurdle, 1 chase) and best to look elsewhere again.

Form: 111-470

Emailandy^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| D

9/4

Third in a bumper in the spring and built on that to make a successful start over hurdles in novice at Plumpton in November, powering away. Improved when 2 lengths third of 12 at Newbury since and there should be more to come now making a quick switch to handicaps for top yard.

Form: 73-13

Mahons Glory^p,h²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Neville| OR: 126

11/1

Failed to win in Ireland but struck at first time of asking for Dr Richard Newland in 2½m Aintree maiden hurdle in October 2022. Not disgraced in 2 subsequent start last term and fared about as well as could be expected when pitched into a Newbury Grade 2 on his reappearance for a new yard.

Form: 23/153-5

Chance A Tune¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 114

7/1

Solid comeback third from lengthy absence at Market Rasen in September and confirmed as much when running out an emphatic winner at Chepstow (2m, heavy) a month later. Found out in stronger races at Ascot and Aintree since, though.

Form: 32/3146

Artistic Endeavour¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 111

11/2

Yet to win but has shown plenty of promise, finishing runner-up for a third time when finishing strongly in 2m Lingfield handicap 15 days ago. Shapes as if he's sure to benefit from the increased stamina test he faces this afternoon.

Form: 5-2252

Non-Runners

Bear Ghylls²⁸⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: Nicky Martin J: Paul O'Brien

Pounding Poet⁴⁷

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: T Lacey J: 2nd Preference

Classic Lord¹¹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: Tim Vaughan J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Emailandy (9/4), Will Carver (5/2), Artistic Endeavour (11/2), Chance A Tune (7/1), Classic Lord (8/1), Mark Of Gold (17/2), Mahons Glory (11/1), Kitty's Light (14/1), Bear Ghylls (14/1), Pounding Poet (25/1)

EMAILANDY has the makings of a useful hurdler so he might be able to cope with an opening mark of 127. Artistic Endeavour has long left the impression he'll do better when stepped up in trip and is second choice ahead of Will Carver, whose yard is seeking a third win in this in the last 4 years.