13:20 Huntingdon

Friday 12 January 2024

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:55

Weatherbys Scientific Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 49.2s

R S Ambush²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Luke Scott⁽³⁾| T: R & J & J Insole| OR: 105

13/2

Fair maiden hurdler who showed he can be very competitive in handicaps when second of 8 over 19f at Carlisle (soft) last month. Should be in the mix again if showing up in similar form.

Form: 46242

Lucky So And So³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁵⁾| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 103

28/1

Promise in 3 novice hurdles at the start of 2022 but pulled up in all 3 handicaps since. Has lots to prove at present.

Form: 311-2PP

Bitsnbuckles⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁶⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 96

9/4

Looks to have been brought along with handicaps in mind, not knocked about turned out quickly at Market Rasen 6 weeks ago. This longer trip will suit and interesting if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 42-8986

Celtic Fortune^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Hogan| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95

9/2

Third in handicap hurdles on all 3 outings this season, including here. Threatened even more with the way he travelled over 20.5f at Market Rasen last time and this slightly shorter trip could suit. Considered.

Form: B99-333

Naturally High¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 95

4/1

Dual handicap winner in 2021. Struggled on his next 4 outings but bounced back to form with a bang when dead-heating at Fontwell on Boxing Day, joined on the line after wandering around off the bridle. Retains plenty of handicapping scope after a 3 lb rise.

Form: 1/P6P-61

Icarat⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Shane Quinlan| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 94

12/1

Fair form in French bumpers for Nick Littmoden but yet to make a significant impact over hurdles. Attracted market support on last month's Bangor handicap debut after wind surgery but weakened into a remote sixth. Too soon to write off but can't be supported with confidence.

Form: 1/27P4-6

Lifetime Legend^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Bromley| T: N B King| OR: 93

16/1

Built on early promise to break his duck in 19f female jockeys' event at Catterick in February. Has dropped below that winning mark but hasn't really been showing enough to suggest he's ready to take advantage.

Form: 5P-6330

Equus Millar⁴³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Cillin Leonard| T: S-J Davies| OR: 88| D

200/1

Fifteen runs since last win in 2020 and not seen since finishing down the field at Ludlow 14 months ago. Can only be watched.

Form: 4F/7590-

Sailed Away^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁵⁾| T: S Edmunds| OR: 81

5/1

Promising second on 2m Fakenham handicap debut and reappearance but has performed no more than respectably in his 2 outings since.

Form: 057-245

Sallyann²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: N J Gifford| OR: 80

50/1

Completed for the first time in handicaps when fifth of 11 on Wincanton reappearance last month. Entitled to strip fitter for the outing but others are still more convincing.

Form: 4/6FPP-5

Cloudy Wednesday²²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Lewis Stones| T: C Fryer| OR: 76| BF| CD

33/1

Won handicap chases at Fakenham and this venue in the first half of 2023. Not seen since a creditable third back at Fakenham in June so peak fitness has to be taken on trust on this return to hurdles.

Form: 3P4-513

Non-Runners

Iron Horse²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 13

T: R T Phillips J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bitsnbuckles (9/4), Naturally High (4/1), Celtic Fortune (9/2), Sailed Away (5/1), R S Ambush (13/2), Icarat (12/1), Lifetime Legend (16/1), Iron Horse (20/1), Lucky So And So (28/1), Cloudy Wednesday (33/1), Sallyann (50/1), Equus Millar (200/1)

Although there are doubts about CELTIC FORTUNE's application off the bridle the way he travels suggests he can win off this sort of mark and he's given one more chance now dropping slightly in trip. Naturally High surely would have won outright but for wandering around in the closing stages at Fontwell on Boxing Day and remains well treated on old form so he's second choice. Bitsnbuckles is a potential improver in handicaps and also makes the shortlist along with R S Ambush.