16:32 Hereford

Wednesday 14 February 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3217:07

Vickers.Bet Proudly Supporting British Racing Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 5m 2.04s

Zestful Hope²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 109| CD

15/8

Won a pair of handicap hurdles here in 2022/23, including over C&D. Had been below that level this season (including over fences) until returning to form when runner-up at Huntingdon (20.7f) 20 days ago. Major player back at this venue.

Form: 765952

Let's Go Joe^t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 107| BF| D

15/2

Runner-up in a point before making a winning hurdles bow for new yard in maiden at Sedgefield (19.8f) in November. However, he was unable to land the odds in novice at Catterick last time, so improvement required as he makes his handicap debut.

Form: 9/92-14

Soldierofthestorm⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 105

13/8

Comfortable winner of a Warwick maiden (2m) on his hurdles debut in May. Hasn't gone on from that effort in 3 starts since, albeit not discredited when fourth of 12 on his handicap bow at Doncaster (19.4f) in December. Needs to find more.

Form: 32-1764

Faded Fantasy^t1¹²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 105| D

12/1

Had been going the right way over hurdles, easily winning a maiden at Southwell (20.4f) in June. However, he's struggled in handicaps since, so he needs to get back on track returned to this longer trip with tongue strap added.

Form: 3-21P75

Don Occhetti²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 101

16/1

Some encouragement in a bumper and showed more than on his hurdles debut when sixth of 10 in novice at Kempton (2m) in January. Well held at Huntingdon since, but he could take a step forward as he goes handicapping back up in distance.

Form: 8469

Iron D'ex^p1⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 99

12/1

Matched the pick of last season's efforts when second on return at Bangor (16.7f) in October, but was tailed off at Aintree later that month. Soon back on track when sixth of 13 on handicap debut at this C&D in November, so he's one to consider with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 327-206

Jukebox D'eddy⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton| OR: 89

12/1

With the hood left off, completed for the first time since the spring when fourth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (19.9f) in January, running to a similar level as he had shown last season. Task is now to build on that.

Form: 26-7PU4

Non-Runners

Galahad Threepwood¹⁹

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: B Pauling J: Ben Jones

Redbridge Rambler⁵⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: M Keighley J: S Bowen

Deadlock⁶¹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 5

T: A Ralph J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Soldierofthestorm (13/8), Zestful Hope (15/8), Let's Go Joe (15/2), Redbridge Rambler (8/1), Iron D'ex (12/1), Faded Fantasy (12/1), Jukebox D'eddy (12/1), Galahad Threepwood (12/1), Don Occhetti (16/1), Deadlock (20/1)

All 3 of ZESTFUL HOPE's victories have come at this course and, having bounced back to form when runner-up at Huntingdon last month, he could be ready to return to winning ways from a handy mark. Galahad Threepwood looked unsuited by conditions on his latest outing so is worth another chance, with Iron d'Ex completing the shortlist.