15:35 Catterick

Friday 31 January 2025

All13:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:3516:05

Bet At Racing TV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 34.6s

Icare Allen^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122

17/2

Confirmed the promise of his Uttoxeter run when taking advantage of falling handicap mark when returning to that venue (upped to 3m) in November, well backed and winning with something in hand. Isn't the most consistent and in nothing like the same form at Carlisle.

Form: 698717

Ballygeary^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119| C

7/1

Resumed winning ways at Market Rasen in June. Limited impact next 3 outings but eased in class, he showed a lot more when second at Musselburgh a month ago. Eased further 1 lb so he needs considering trying this trip for the first time.

Form: 3165P2

Fingal's Hill^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: P Atkinson| OR: 119| C

7/2

Consistent and likeable hurdler who looked and shaped as though in need of the run in first-time cheekpieces at Carlisle on comeback. Progressed with each run since and now likely to be at peak fitness, he's well weighted back up in distance.

Form: 524-835

Crossing The Bar^t,p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Gilligan| T: C Collins| OR: 114| D

4/1

On a lengthy losing run but hit the frame all starts in Ireland upon joining Cian Michael Collins. Higher British mark but he can give it another good go.

Form: 324242

Pike Road³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 113

5/1

Runner-up in a point and progressive form in 3 starts under Rules, runner-up over 23.3f at Uttoxeter last month. Switches to handicaps and limit not yet reached.

Form: 722

Champ Royal^t,p⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 113| CD

11/1

Much improved since joining Susan Corbett, scoring 4 times (at up to 25.3f) over hurdles last season. Failed to take to chasing and fared no better back over hurdles at Haydock.

Form: 122-4P5

Piaff Bubbles^h,p1¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 104

10/3

Resumed from 21 months off with a solid fifth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Hexham (20.1f, soft) 24 days ago, not ideally placed. Upped to 3m and built on that when third at Ayr and that puts him in the mix.

Form: 5123/53

Kap De Triomphe⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Christian Williams| OR: 99

33/1

Bumper winner in Ireland. Quiet start over hurdles but needs a market check upped markedly in distance now handicapping.

Form: 1-947

Forecasts

Piaff Bubbles (10/3), Fingal's Hill (7/2), Crossing The Bar (4/1), Pike Road (5/1), Ballygeary (7/1), Icare Allen (17/2), Champ Royal (11/1), Kap De Triomphe (33/1)

PIKE ROAD displayed ability in both his qualifying runs and upped in trip for this quick switch to a handicap, he could be the answer. Fingal's Hill is a very solid alternative, while market support for Kap de Triomphe would look significant given his mark could be lenient based on his bumper win.