15:05 Huntingdon

Thursday 23 January 2025

All12:1212:4713:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:13

Pertemps Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 21.30s

Anytrixwilldo⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 98

20/1

Fair maiden hurdler/chaser but he was pulled up in handicap chase at Market Rasen (23.9f, soft) in November and is opposable on the back of that.

Form: 23-674P

Brother Boris^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 96

15/2

Showed ability in a bumper and similar story in maiden hurdles. Is a chaser on looks and bettered his chasing debut form in first-time cheekpieces when runner-up at Fakenham (21.2f, soft) just over 3 weeks ago. Can progress again.

Form: 54-6752

Pearl Island^b³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: H D Daly| OR: 95| D

11/2

Seven-race maiden over hurdles but improved with first-time blinkers enlisted when striking at the second attempt in this sphere at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) just under 5 weeks ago, rallying to lead again run-in. Major player from 3 lb higher provided he is able to build on that.

Form: 55-53P1

Knocknagappagh^b²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 94

16/1

Long-standing maiden who was seemingly fitter for reappearance/stable debut when fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Leicester (20.1f, soft) last month, likely to have won had she not made a shuddering mistake at the last. Every chance she can make amends with a clear round.

Form: 22P6-P4

Get Cracking⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 92

11/2

Successful in points and left hurdles form behind sent chasing when fifth of 13 to Mister Upton in handicap at Hereford (20.9f, good to soft) just over 6 weeks ago. Moving back up in trip will help and he's a live each-way contender.

Form: 136745

Celtic Fortune^b1,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 91

7/2

Fair maiden hurdler who has made an encouraging start over fences, beaten under a length by a progressive type at Wincanton (25f, soft) last time. Remains feasibly treated nudged up 4 lb and may well have a part to play here, too, provided the first-time blinkers have the desired effect.

Form: P4-4342

Mister Upton^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 91| BF

12/1

Better chaser than hurdler and doubled his tally in this sphere in 13-runner event at Hereford last month. Possibly found the race coming too soon 8 days later at Exeter and given a 5-week break to recover. Heads back up in distance.

Form: 4-1441P

Kapamazov^p1³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H J Evans| OR: 89

13/2

Modest form over hurdles and has run to a similar level all 4 starts over fences, travelling better than most under a patient ride here until a bad mistake 4 out stopped him in his tracks at Uttoxeter (24f, heavy) just under 5 weeks ago. Cheekpieces applied and more needed to break his duck.

Form: 435766

Express Surprise^t⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 89

4/1

Reacted well to a tongue tie when an improved second in Stratford handicap in June but not in quite the same form at Wincanton 4 months later. Back on track with first-time cheekpieces added when equal-third at Hereford in November and now attentions are turned to chasing.

Form: U37-253

Killomeroe³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: C Fryer| OR: 77

80/1

Placed in points but didn't show much in 3 maiden hurdles (latest after 7 months off recently). Needs the switch to fences to spark some major improvement.

Form: 343-P9P

Forecasts

Celtic Fortune (7/2), Express Surprise (4/1), Pearl Island (11/2), Get Cracking (11/2), Kapamazov (13/2), Brother Boris (15/2), Mister Upton (12/1), Knocknagappagh (16/1), Anytrixwilldo (20/1), Killomeroe (80/1)

Plenty in with a squeak but the suggestion is KNOCKNAGAPPAGH, who looked the most likely winner before attempting to take the last home with her at Leicester last month. Pearl Island showed his battling qualities when scoring at Uttoxeter recently and nudged up just 3 lb, he can give the selection most to think about provided the blinkers have the same effect. Brother Boris can edge out Get Cracking for minor honours.