15:10 Ludlow

Wednesday 18 December 2024

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Pontesbury Tractors Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 15.29s

Chosen Templar²⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 111| D

22/1

Bumper winner in Ireland and made a successful hurdling/stable debut in 6-runner novice hurdle at Musselburgh (23.8f, soft) in January. Well held both subsequent outings but could turn it around if market speaks in his favour making chase debut after 9 months off.

Form: 5/511P3-

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Cracking Destiny^p1³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 108| D

16/1

More miss than hit since latest success at Musselburgh last November but, on the upside, he's on an appealing mark if he can bounce back.

Form: 7U043F

Ask Brewster⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 108| C

11/2

Showed improved form to get off the mark under Rules in handicap hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f, soft) back in March. Won sole start in points and looked a better chaser when making winning start in 3-runner contest here in October. Disappointed next time but can't be ruled out.

Form: 4831-13

Zestful Hope^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 106| D

11/4

Fair handicap hurdler/chaser who was right back to form when second in a handicap chase at Uttoxeter last time. Well treated on his best form and should take the beating in a thin race.

Form: 44-0442

Moodofthemoment^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 106

3/1

Winner of 4 of his 7 starts between the flags and opened Rules account at the thirteenth attempt at Hereford (21f, good) last month. Only fourth of 5 at Taunton subsequently but he's not one to write off.

Form: 222114

Kankin³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: A M Hales| OR: 100| D

9/1

Modest chaser who edged ahead close home to double his tally at Fakenham in May. Resumed with a good second at Plumpton but wasn't in the same form at Market Rasen last month.

Form: 53-1527

L'empire Vert^t1¹¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 103

14/1

Modest form over hurdles. Best effort when 12¾ lengths fourth of 10 to Parika Vert in juvenile at Fontainebleau in 2023/24. Well held only start over fences and starts out for new yard with a bit to prove.

Form: P4-348

Rockvale¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: S Allwood| OR: 93

20/1

Placed on each of his three starts in points and, while he's only shown modest form over hurdles, there could be more to come with his attentions turned to chasing.

Form: 233-706

Storm Of Light⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B R Summers| OR: 92| D

14/1

Fair hurdle winner for Olly Murphy but yet to make an impact over fences for this yard. Hard to fancy.

Form: 4/PPP54

River Robe¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 91

20/1

Yet to score for current yard and only poor form so far over fences. Others look more persuasive.

Form: 473564

Martalmix'jac^p,t⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 85

12/1

Just 1 lb higher than for his clear-cut victory in a 4-runner Leicester handicap in February but pulled up both subsequent starts, including on his reappearance at Stratford last month.

Form: 2621P-P

Forecasts

Zestful Hope (11/4), Moodofthemoment (3/1), Ask Brewster (11/2), Kankin (9/1), Martalmix'jac (12/1), Storm Of Light (14/1), L'empire Vert (14/1), Cracking Destiny (16/1), River Robe (20/1), Rockvale (20/1), Chosen Templar (22/1)

ZESTFUL HOPE's second at Uttoxeter (when clear of the remainder) is comfortably the most compelling piece of recent form on offer and he's fancied to go one better at the possible expense of Ask Brewster, who has more to offer as a chaser if his jumping improves. Ex-pointer Chosen Templar is an interesting newcomer to this sphere.