14:05 Wincanton

Saturday 6 January 2024

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 0.17s

Fourofakind^p,t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 102

5/2

Fairly useful form on the Flat in Ireland and made it third time lucky in this sphere at Haydock last spring. However, he hasn't covered himself in glory in handicap company since and now finds himself with a fair bit to prove.

Form: 3195-P7

Mini Yeats¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 99

7/1

Has made the frame on several occasions in maiden, novice and handicap company, and didn't shape badly when fifth in a big-field C&D contest (heavy) back from a 13-month absence. Still, improvement will be needed if he's to open his account at the eighth attempt.

Form: 53P/44-5

Angel's Dream¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 95

9/1

Much-improved on third hurdles start when landing a 2m Plumpton maiden (good to firm) last May. Safely held next 2 starts but back on track when fourth of 10 in a handicap back at the aforementioned track 19 days ago and should go well if coping with conditions here (soft-ground winner on the Flat).

Form: 33-1884

Clinton Lane³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 92

33/1

Appeared to take a sizeable step forward when third in an 8-runner C&D maiden in October but his handicap debut display at Lingfield last time wasn't overly inspiring.

Form: 6P-P350

Starevitch³¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: William Featherstone⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 91

14/1

Irish point winner who shaped with some promise on first 2 starts in novice hurdles after a long absence. Well held on firm ground at Newbury next time prior to a low-key chase debut at Ludlow but 5 lb lower reverting to hurdles here and he's not discounted.

Form: 13/5584-

One Last Glance^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 90

7/2

Fair maiden hurdler who proved he retains all his ability on the back of a 20-month absence when hitting the cossbar in handicap at Lingfield (2m, good to soft). Likely to be in the mix, provided he is able to at least match that level of form here.

Form: 34225/2

Maroochi¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 84

40/1

Deservedly shed maiden tag when dead heating at Newton Abbot (21.5f, good to soft) in September 2022. Placed on a couple of occasions since, including when third off 4 lb higher at Plumpton on penultimate start, but she needs to bounce back from a lesser effort at Exeter recently.

Form: 4P3530

Feach Amach⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke| OR: 93

4/1

Fair maiden on the Flat for Jim Bolger and improved plenty on opening hurdles exploits when landing 8-runner Sedgefield juvenile (16.8f, heavy) in November. 4-y-o allowance will be an asset now pitched into a handicap and she's a key player.

Form: 5P1

Daany^h²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: M G Nolan| T: J Tickle| OR: 78

8/1

Dual winner on the Flat and posted his best effort yet in this sphere when runner-up in a soft-ground C&D handicap in November. Wasn't disgraced at Exeter next time but he again didn't look entirely straightforward and may again find one or two too good.

Form: 60-P624

Non-Runners

Western Soldier¹⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: Anthony Charlton J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Fourofakind (5/2), One Last Glance (7/2), Feach Amach (4/1), Mini Yeats (7/1), Daany (8/1), Angel's Dream (9/1), Western Soldier (12/1), Starevitch (14/1), Clinton Lane (33/1), Maroochi (40/1)

FEACH AMACH was arguably a shade fortunate when opening her account at Sedgefield but that still represented a significant step forward and she is taken to follow up on this handicap debut. She may have most to fear from Starevitch, who needs to get back on track now reverting to hurdles but it's entirely possible that he will do just that off this reduced mark. Angel's Dream and One Last Glance are others to consider.