15:20 Wetherby

Thursday 26 December 2024

All11:5212:2713:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

William Hill Betting Done Properly Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 4m 2.50s

Vocal Duke^p⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 100| D

18/1

Losing run mounting up and while he was placed on 3 lb higher at Cartmel in August, he followed that a brace of heavy defeats. Hopes rest on drop in trip.

Form: 376377

Double Oban¹⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-13| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 99| D

7/2

Fair on the Flat at up to 14.5f for Hugo Palmer and continued theme of major race-by-race progress when making a winning handicap debut at Uttoxeter in July. Could have more to offer for leading yard.

Form: 431

Let's Sail Away^p1²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 98

7/1

Winner of sole start between the flags a year ago. Best effort of his 4 under Rules so far was when fourth of 13 in a Uttoxeter maiden (15.7f, heavy) in April but back over 2m having been brushed aside on handicap debut (made mistakes).

Form: 154-59

Opera King^p⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 97

9/2

Posted best effort in this sphere when creditable second of 9 at Market Rasen (18.5f, good to firm) in September. Has followed that with a couple of low-key efforts over longer trips but perhaps this return to shorter will help him get back on track.

Form: 37-3257

Lahire³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 93| BF

6/1

Down in the weights and set to produced most encouraging effort yet in handicaps when falling late at Sedgefield a month ago. Probably booked for second that day so one to consider.

Form: 765-64F

Lillistar¹⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 86

66/1

Fair maiden on Flat (stays 1¼m) for Harry & Roger Charlton but well held over hurdles and efforts on the level for this yard hardly encouraging, either.

Form: 587-

Mister Smarty¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 83

7/2

Caught the eye when fourth in a race at Newcastle that worked out well and belied 10-month absence when successful over the same C&D 12 days ago. May well have more to offer.

Form: 0/6094-1

Treasured Company⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 83| BF| D

5/1

Back-to-back winner in 2021. Hasn't stood much racing since but cashed in on falling mark in 9-runner handicap hurdle at Cartmel in August. Never really looked like following up at Sedgefield.

Form: 940815

Nut Wood^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 83

66/1

Looks limited on early evidence. Handicap debut.

Form: 7P-57

Milajess^t,v⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 80

16/1

Still a maiden but produced best effort yet for current yard when runner-up at Uttoxeter (15.8f) in June. Fitter for return when fourth at Sedgefield a month ago.

Form: 47-9274

Non-Runners

Kellie's Dream¹⁹⁸

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: D Bourke J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mister Smarty (7/2), Double Oban (7/2), Opera King (9/2), Treasured Company (5/1), Lahire (6/1), Let's Sail Away (7/1), Kellie's Dream (10/1), Milajess (16/1), Vocal Duke (18/1), Lillistar (66/1), Nut Wood (66/1)

DOUBLE OBAN was much improved on what was a quick switch to handicap company when successful at Uttoxeter this summer and is fancied to pick up where he left off for his excellent yard. Mister Smarty is also going the right way so he commands respect, along with Lahire.