14:58 Hereford

Thursday 4 January 2024

All12:5813:2813:5814:2814:5815:2815:58

Read Harry Cobden's Blog At PlanetSportBet Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:58 | Winning time: 6m 44.21s

Hardy Boy^v²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 112

5/2

In good form over fences this term and just failed to notch his first win of the season when second of 9 in handicap chase at Taunton (23f, good to soft, 9/2) 21 days ago. Should be in the mix if able to avoid errors.

Form: 324322

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Honey I'm Good^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Miss Eleanor Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 107

33/1

Notched 3 chase wins between April and July but recent efforts over hurdles have been underwhelming and she needs return to this discipline to spark an improvement.

Form: 1423P7

Inflexible²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 106

5/2

Improved from chase debut despite another clumsy round of jumping when third of 8 in handicap chase at Ffos Las (21.5f, heavy) 23 days ago. Could do better again.

Form: 2/245-53

Langley Hundred^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 105

5/1

Dual staying handicap hurdle winner last winter who made an encouraging chase debut when second at Ludlow on return. Disappointing here on next start but it's still early days.

Form: P35-525

Len Brennan^p⁴⁵⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Reed| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 105| BF

40/1

Out of sorts when last seen 15 months ago, so bit to prove, including fitness.

Form: P1435/3-

Shot Boii^t,v²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 100

5/1

Completed a hurdles hat-trick around 3m last winter and shaped with some promise when fourth at Lingfield on chase debut. Not in same form there last time but he's not discounted with visor back on.

Form: 22P-646

Paseo^b⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 89

5/1

Scored at Ludlow on last season's return but very little to shout about since and looks hard to fancy only 5 days on from finishing down the field at Taunton.

Form: 266-676

Royal Act^b²⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 69

125/1

Seemingly retains little ability, making no impact in 2 starts this season.

Form: P/9P4-P7

Non-Runners

Invincible Nao³⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: Caoilin Quinn

Forecasts

Inflexible (5/2), Hardy Boy (5/2), Invincible Nao (3/1), Shot Boii (5/1), Langley Hundred (5/1), Paseo (5/1), Honey I'm Good (33/1), Len Brennan (40/1), Royal Act (125/1)

This looks a good opportunity for INVINCIBLE NAO to gain his first win in Britain, Gary Moore's gelding having showed the benefit of experience when a good third at Lingfield last month. Hardy Boy has been running consistently well in defeat this season and should give another good account, with Langley Hundred also respected if able to return to something like his chase debut form.