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Saturday 7 December 2024

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BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 4f | 12 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 139| D

Well prepared to make a winning return to action at Kempton (21f) 13 months ago but missed the remainder of the campaign and low-key efforts upon returning in recent months, well-beaten last of 4 back in corresponding race 26 days ago. Tough to assess at present.

Form: 10/01-54

Pyramid Place^h²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: O Murphy| OR: 136| CD

A fairly useful 2m4f hurdles winner for Harriet Dickin and showed benefit of a recent run for new yard when running out a stylish winner in 4-runner Kempton handicap (21f) 26 days ago. Versatile as regards ground but this is a tougher ask.

Form: 50-1741

Santos Blue^t²⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

Likeable type who resumed progress during second half of last term, signing off with success in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (20f, heavy) in March. Returns with yard going well and no surprise to see him thereabouts from this 4 lb higher mark.

Form: 272101-

Uncle Bert²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| D

Useful hurdler who posted a career-best effort when adding to his tally at Bangor (19.6f) in March. Hasn't convinced in trio of starts over fences this autumn and the return to hurdling needs to have positive effect now.

Form: 117-3P2

Choccabloc²³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

Bumper winner who made a bright start over hurdles last winter, off the mark at Ludlow (21.2f) in November. Not disgraced when fifth in Cheltenham Grade 2 next time and back on the up when second of 6 in Ayr novice (20.5f) in April. Interesting now handicapping on return.

Form: 2/12152-

The Lord Maid¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 126| D

Made a successful hurdle debut in maiden at Clonmel in February (for Josh Halley) and followed up for new yard in 20.5f Southwell novice in April. Solid return from 7 months off when second in 6-runner mares' handicap at Warwick (21f, soft) and she's still low mileage.

Form: 5311-2

Tamar Bridge⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 125| CD

C&D winner (won this race 3 years ago). Evidently hard to train but proved he retains ability after almost 2 years off when staying on for second in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (20f) in October. Yard continue in good form and he's not discounted if he can back that up.

Form: 11PPP/2

Bingoo³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 124| CD

Four-time 2m hurdle winner who bagged a C&D handicap last Christmas. Largely struggled thereafter and he was only keeping on in fifth when unseating soon after 2 out on return to action at Carlisle (20f) 5 weeks ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 1/10P3-U

Country Park²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 121

£150,000 purchase from points who has showed definite promise under Rules, producing best effort yet when second of 4 in a Cheltenham maiden (16.4f) 3 weeks ago. Increase in trip promises to suit now handicapping and he's open to further improvement.

Form: 89-B232

Getalead^t,p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: K Pickard| OR: 118| D

Returned from 6 months off in fine form, benefiting from return to calmer waters when making it 3 wins from last 4 starts at Wincanton (19.8f) 16 days ago. 4 lb rise should see him competitive again but he needs to keep the errors at bay in this stronger affair.

Form: 4-P1181

The Nagger Reidy¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Burke| T: Stephen Gerard Carey| OR: 118

Irish raider who was much improved to make a winning return/handicap debut at Listowel (18f) in September. Stepped up further and found only another thriving sort too strong in big field at Tipperary (20.4f) 15 days ago. Still unexposed and he commands respect.

Form: 606-12

Captain Potter^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 114| D

Hurdles winner for yard at the start of the year and also opened account on the Flat in 2m Catterick handicap in October. Slipped up home turn back over hurdles at that venue 2 weeks ago and whilst he's still lightly raced in this sphere, this is comfortably his toughest task to date.

Form: 417-S

Forecasts

Choccabloc (11/2), Santos Blue (6/1), Tamar Bridge (13/2), Uncle Bert (7/1), The Nagger Reidy (7/1), Getalead (15/2), Country Park (8/1), Pyramid Place (10/1), Bingoo (12/1), The Lord Maid (12/1), Dargiannini (14/1), Captain Potter (25/1)

CHOCCABLOC ended a progressive novice campaign over hurdles with a very good second behind a more seasoned and similarly progressive rival at Ayr in April and, appealing as being on a workable opening mark, he's fancied to make a bold bid returning from 7 months off. Irish raider The Nagger Reidy comes here on the up and he's respected, with Tamar Bridge, who took this contest 3 years ago, another on the shortlist. Country Park also commands a second look.