14:25 Hereford

Tuesday 7 January 2025

All13:2513:3013:5514:0014:2514:3014:5515:0015:2515:3015:5515:59

Green Dragon Hotel Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 5 | 3m 1f 119y | 14 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Slatter⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 94

Off the mark when winning at Ludlow (21f, good to soft) in October and improved when landing 18-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter (21.6f, soft) 19 days ago, seeming suited by the emphasis on stamina. Should be suited by longer trip and looks a leading player here.

Form: 9-39141

Aldsworth^b⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 92

Maiden but improved form for his new yard in 2023, runner-up over C&D. Shaped better than the distance beaten in first-time blinkers after 11 months off at Huntingdon in November and could go well back at Hereford for shrewd stable.

Form: 37/F2P-0

Just Four Fame^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: C J Todd| T: David Dennis| OR: 90

Third in an Aintree bumper in May 2022 but hurdling efforts have been uninspiring in the main, faring no better in handicaps, latest when eleventh of 15 at Taunton (23.9f, good, 100/1) 26 days ago. Bit to find.

Form: 5-45PP0

Bennettsbridge³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 89

Placed in points but hasn't made much impact in 3 runs over hurdles, a soundly beaten fourth of 8 (was well-backed) in a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (23.1f, soft) 33 days ago. That came off the back of a 10-month absence so could strip fitter, representing excellent in-form trainer/jockey.

Form: U23/44-4

Heart Of Rome⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 85

10-race maiden but showed more on penultimate start (blinkered) when fourth at Wexford in August (24f), ridden more positively. Not in same form next time (final run for Paul Nolan) and headgear off for stable debut but looks an interesting contender, especially if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 399-040

Ballydangan²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 85

Maiden who hasn't shown an immediate benefit for the switch to the Dan Skelton yard, prominent in the betting but disappointing when sixth of 11 at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) 22 days ago. Up in trip again but no surprise to see stable get a better tune out of him sooner rather than later.

Form: 3P0056

Jewel Eyed Judy²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 84

Lightly-raced maiden who offered little on handicap debut when fifth of 11 at Plumpton (20.5f, good to soft, 80/1) 22 days ago, pushed along early on final circuit, beaten by 3 out. Steps up in distance but others more interesting.

Form: 608-65

Kick For Touch^b1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 82

Beaten a long way in a trio of 2m hurdles in recent weeks, looking like one for handicaps. Steps up markedly in trip and blinkers on for handicap debut. Entitled to show more than he has for yard going well and one to note if market support comes his way.

Form: 590

Newtonian^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 82

Got off the mark at Warwick in May and nothing wrong with a brace of in-frame efforts upon return in October. Struggling when unseated over C&D (was 2 lb out of the weights) 27 days ago, and overall record here (chases and hurdles) now reads 0-7.

Form: 3-1P34U

Getaway With You^v³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 82| BF

Still to win but he has taken his form up a notch for his current yard, finishing a good second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Lingfield (23f, good to soft) in November (travelled well). Not in same form when turned out quickly a week later (third, beaten at odds-on) but every chance if bouncing back.

Form: 262823

Charming Getaway⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 76

Shaped as if retaining ability on his first outing since leaving Kim Bailey after 21 months off back in May. Not seen for a further 6 months before fifth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, good) 53 days ago. Up in trip and entitled to strip fitter for that.

Form: 9986/45

Von Hallers⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 76

First form of note when fifth of 9 in 2½m mares handicap here in October. Not seen since, and while she could build on that, this is a tougher race.

Form: UPP6-P5

The Last Melon¹⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-5| J: William Featherstone⁽⁷⁾| T: J Bennett| OR: 70

Veteran who remains winless following 26 starts overall (Flat and jumps). Off for the best part of 4 years before return this season and latest effort, when pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (22.2f, heavy, 100/1) 18 days ago, inspires little confidence.

Form: 7766/7P

One Man Party³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 68

Maiden. Shaped better than the bare result after 10 months off (had a second breathing operation) when sixth at Kempton (24.6f) in November, but didn't fare as well back down in trip when sixth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) 36 days ago. Up in distance today.

Form: 4U8P-66

Forecasts

Getaway With You (5/2), Newtonian (5/1), Martalite (11/2), Von Hallers (7/1), Ballydangan (10/1), Bennettsbridge (12/1), Heart Of Rome (14/1), Kick For Touch (14/1), Aldsworth (14/1), Jewel Eyed Judy (14/1), Charming Getaway (16/1), One Man Party (20/1), The Last Melon (100/1), Just Four Fame (100/1)

HEART OF ROME is an interesting contender on the best of his Irish form, and he can take this on debut for the Rebecca Curtis yard. Recent winner Martalite should relish this step up trip and go well again, while Aldsworth can get back on track having run well here before.