15:20 Wetherby

Tuesday 26 December 2023

All11:5212:2713:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

William Hill Betting TV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 4m 14.10s

Rock Hurley^t⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 113

10/1

Won pair of 4-y-o hurdles in France but has been well below that level in a trio of starts for current connections, finishing down the field after 6 months off (had a wind op) in handicap at Ayr in November. Has a bit to prove at present.

Form: F1140-7

Transatlantic^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 111| D

5/1

Dual Flat winner in France and off the mark over hurdles in Huntingdon novice on final outing for Gary Moore in April last year. Having had a wind op, left his seasonal/stable debut effort behind when third at Bangor 24 days ago and he could still have more to offer.

Form: 5P31/93

Bix Beiderbecke^h1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108| D

25/1

Fair form in bumpers and opened his account at the second time of asking over hurdles in a Perth novice in May. However, ran poorly on his return in handicap at Musselburgh last month, so he needs to get back on the up with hood now applied.

Form: 463-18

Coup De Coeur²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 108

10/3

Fairly useful over hurdles/fences in France and stepped up on his seasonal/stable debut when third in maiden hurdle at Sedgefield (16.8f) in November. Off the mark at the same C&D 19 days later, so he's a major player having his first start in a British handicap.

Form: 682-F31

Royal Rhythm⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 106| BF| D

11/2

Dual hurdles winner in Ireland and, after 6 months off, made a successful debut for Jonjo O'Neill at Carlisle (17.2f) in October. Not in the same form at Warwick next time, but it remains early days for his current yard so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 4164-15

Eskendash⁸⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 105| D

66/1

Ended a long losing run in handicap hurdle at Catterick on his stable debut in March last year. Hasn't been in the same form over hurdles/fences since, though, offering little after 12 months off at Sedgefield in October. Best watched back hurdling.

Form: 31/203-6

Beat Box^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 102| D

11/2

After 8 months off, returned to his best when runner-up in handicap hurdle at Hexham in November. Task is now to build on his latest effort, though he was successful on his second run back last season.

Form: 21274-2

V Twelve⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 101

5/1

Fairly useful 10f winner on the Flat for Ed Walker and, making his handicap hurdle debut, ran his best race in this sphere when runner-up at Carlisle (17.2f) in November. Could do better again as he makes only his fifth start over timber.

Form: U2-52

Beaumesnil^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 96

6/1

Has shown encouragement sent hurdling this season, only narrowly denied in Hexham novice (16.2f) on his second outing. After 5 months off, possibly unsuited by testing conditions at the same course (20.1f) 13 days ago, so he remains with potential back down in trip.

Form: P/6-4245

Forecasts

Coup De Coeur (10/3), Transatlantic (5/1), V Twelve (5/1), Royal Rhythm (11/2), Beat Box (11/2), Beaumesnil (6/1), Rock Hurley (10/1), Bix Beiderbecke (25/1), Eskendash (66/1)

COUP DE COEUR has been heading back in the right direction on his last 2 starts, opening his account at Sedgefield on his latest outing, so he is taken to follow up on his first run in a British handicap. The main danger could be Royal Rhythm, who is worth another chance to build on his stable debut success in October, with Beaumesnil completing the shortlist.