12:25 Kelso

Sunday 8 December 2024

All11:5512:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Bring Out The Best By Belhaven Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:25 | Winning time: 4m 11.05s

Horn Cape²¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 134| D

33/1

Has thrived since returning to hurdles, winning 2 of his last 3 outings last term (only beaten by the progressive Brentford Hope in between). Up 6 lb and produced another cracker when second at Hexham in May. Raised further 4 lb on return so little margin for error.

Form: 12121-2

Cracking Rhapsody²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 127| CD

2/1

Big improver in handicaps earlier in the year, winning twice over C&D (including the Morebattle) and excellent third of 15 in the Scottish Champion Hurdle on final start. Respectable effort on Hexham reappearance before finding the Greatwood too much 3 weeks ago. This much easier.

Form: 2113-40

Cannock Park^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: Paul Robson| OR: 126| BF| D

7/2

Point winner who landed a Bangor bumper and Cheltenham maiden hurdle last autumn before placed twice in Graded novice hurdles. Failed to meet expectations sent chasing this term but mark has dropped and he's interesting returned to timber fitted with cheekpieces.

Form: 320-544

Ginger Mail^p²³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 126| CD

10/1

Consistent type who resumed winning ways over C&D in January. Posted another very good effort when runner-up to Cracking Rhapsody in Morebattle Hurdle a couple of months later but was a long way behind that rival when well held at Ayr in April. Off since.

Form: 201320-

Old Gregorian^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| CD

5/2

Gained first 2 career wins over this C&D and improved again when successful in ready fashion at Wetherby 3 weeks ago. Hit with 8 lb rise but he's clearly thriving.

Form: P3P-611

Mack The Man^v³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 120| D

12/1

Reacted well to a visor with wins at Musselburgh and Perth in the spring and he displayed a willing attitude when adding to tally after 5 months off at Ayr. Rising 11 but clearly retains plenty of enthusiasm.

Form: 213-141

Bringbackmemories^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: I Jardine| OR: 114| D

18/1

Scored 4 times on the Flat in 2024 but ridden with more restraint back hurdling and could never land a blow at Carlisle 3 weeks ago. Expected to build on that.

Form: 31620/6

Cuban Cigar^p,t⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 114| CD

16/1

Successful at Musselburgh a year ago and, after a below-par effort next time, has generally held form since, albeit in lesser handicaps than this one. Cheekpieces the headgear of choice this time.

Form: 42-3724

Magnolia¹⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105

100/1

Fair hurdler at best, won handicap at Fontainebleau in 2023/24. Well below form in 17-runner similar event at Auteuil in June and having left D. Satalia, this is no easy task from out of the weights.

Form: 1655-89

Non-Runners

Freddy Robinson¹⁰

Weight: 10-6| Age: 5

T: B Ellison J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Cracking Rhapsody (2/1), Old Gregorian (5/2), Cannock Park (7/2), Ginger Mail (10/1), Freddy Robinson (10/1), Mack The Man (12/1), Cuban Cigar (16/1), Bringbackmemories (18/1), Horn Cape (33/1), Magnolia (100/1)

An open-looking handicap with CRACKING RHAPSODY awarded the vote. He landed the Morebattle here in March and will find this race a good deal easier than the Greatwood at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago. Cannock Park is interesting from this mark returned to timber, with Old Gregorian another to note given his current upward trajectory.