14:35 Fakenham

Wednesday 1 January 2025

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:10

Gamble Plant Norfolk Ltd Grand Prix Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 5m 18.05s

Royal Way^t1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

16/5

Winner on Flat in France and took very well to hurdling, completing a hat-trick in 2m Ascot handicap in March. Well beaten in the Greatwood this campaign but ran better in decent handicap fourth of 6 in at Sandown (16f, heavy) 25 days ago. Step up in trip needs to bring about improvement, though.

Form: 111-404

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Balboa⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 120

16/1

Fair maiden on Flat who opened account in juvenile hurdle at Chepstow last autumn. Ended the last campaign and started the current with good runner-up efforts in competitive 2m handicaps and not disgraced in conditions race (fifth of 8, Cheltenham) 67 days ago. Went in snatches so up in trip now.

Form: 3P42-25

An Bradan Feasa^p,t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Gambin⁽⁷⁾| T: Jack Jones| OR: 118

8/1

Fairly useful 2-time juvenile hurdle winner last season. Creditable couple of efforts to start this season but disappointed in first-time cheekpieces and tongue tie at Ascot (15.7f, good to soft) earlier this month. Headgear retained and steps up in distance, but not obviously well handicapped.

Form: 488-640

Secret Des Dieux²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: James Owen| OR: 118| C| D

6/1

Fair form in bumpers and left hurdles bow well behind 6 months on when winning 6-runner novice hurdle here (16f, good to soft) in November, overcoming mistakes. Jumped much better when stepped up in trip at Hereford (19.7f) winning in the manner of a horse worthy of a step up in grade. Big player.

Form: 562-711

Bluegrass^p,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 117| C

6/4

Twice had a wind operation, latest before comeback run this season. Left that well behind when making it 2-2 at Fakenham (16f, good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces in November. Put his fitness to good use when following up at Huntingdon (15.8f, heavy) and respected in bid for a hat-trick.

Form: 210-611

Young Merlin^p³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 113

40/1

Multiple Flat/hurdles winner. Best run in this sphere came when second of 12 at Cartmel (17f, soft) in August. Tried over fences this season but hasn't looked a natural chaser. Back hurdling now which should suit him better but pitched into a competitive enough event.

Form: 94-20U4

Pearly Island^v1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 112| D

7/1

Dual hurdles scorer who opened chase account in March. Ran up to his best on comeback at Warwick (20f) but didn't back that up when sixth of 8 in a handicap chase at Doncaster (20.5f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Return to smaller obstacles and first-time visor needs to spark some improvement.

Form: 2132-26

Godot^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 110| D

14/1

A fair winning hurdler/chaser. Can race on and off the bridle but was on a going day when capitalising on falling handicap mark. landing 6-runner handicap hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft) 14 days ago, Tougher assignment today.

Form: 274-431

Non-Runners

Hecouldbetheone³⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: James Owen J: Shane Fenelon

Forecasts

Bluegrass (6/4), Royal Way (16/5), Secret Des Dieux (6/1), Pearly Island (7/1), Hecouldbetheone (15/2), An Bradan Feasa (8/1), Godot (14/1), Balboa (16/1), Young Merlin (40/1)

SECRET DES DIEUX represents a powerful yard and should be the type to take this step up in class in his stride, having looked a useful prospect when scoring at Hereford last time. Stablemate Hecouldbetheone is respected in a first-time visor, as is course-specialist Bluegrass, while Balboa isn't dismissed now up in trip.