14:43 Wetherby

Saturday 1 February 2025

All12:3013:0013:3314:0814:4315:1515:5016:22

William Hill Bet10, Get10 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 5m 4.90s

Joyeux Machin⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| D

11/1

Useful for Paul Nolan in Ireland but struggled in varied events in 2024. Easy to back and never figured on stable debut and out of his depth in a Grade 2 last-time. Up in trip for return to handicaps and a victory doesn't look imminent at present, unless market suggests otherwise.

Form: PFP-705

Cormier⁵⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 127

50/1

Tough sort who scored 3 times over hurdles for this yard in 2022 and ran respectably when last seen on the Flat in the summer of 2023. Off 18 months now and likely to need this, unless betting tells a different story.

Form: 7U63U0/

Monviel¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: Harry Derham| OR: 126

22/1

Back to something like his best over hurdles for this yard last season. However struggled in two starts this campaign, well-beaten at Sandown (19.8f) in November (reported to have bled) and finished last at Taunton (19f) two weeks ago. Bounce back called for.

Form: 23U-287

Blenkinsop⁶⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 125| D

18/1

Progressive in handicaps in 2022, still looking well ahead of his mark when completing the 4-timer at Newbury (20.5f, soft) in December of that year. Not disgraced in graded company when last seen in April 2023, but not been seen since. Market should reveal what's expected after 21-month absence.

Form: 411118/

Bowling Buddy^t1⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 124| CD

11/1

Winning Irish pointer and progressive over hurdles for Olly Murphy, landing hat-trick in a novice at Wetherby in October last year. Picked up for £58,000 by new connections and made a solid start when third of 8 at Doncaster (19.4f), shaping like a stayer. Place claims in first time tongue-tie.

Form: 121113

Mr Bramley³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 124| CD

7/4

Progressive in bumpers and similar story over hurdles, 3 wins from 5 starts in this sphere, including over C&D. Solid effort behind two decent types at Newbury (20.5f) having kicked on plenty soon enough. Leading contender back at the scene of his latest victory.

Form: 2113-13

Rafferty's Return^t,v¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 123| CD

33/1

C&D winner landed a pair of handicap hurdles in early 2024. Disappointing start to this season, latest when well-beaten sixth of 7 in a handicap hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, soft, 10/1) 12 days ago. Something to prove at present.

Form: 715-F76

Foster'sisland¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 121| D

22/1

Winless last season but signed off with a good third in the spring. Hit and miss this season, ran well here when fourth on penultimate start but below form when last seen finishing fifth of 7 in a handicap hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, soft, 11/2) 12 days ago. Each-way claims if on a going day.

Form: 43-2045

Sayadam^t⁶³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 121WS

16/1

Three-time hurdles winner and finished 2023 with two decent efforts over 3m when trained by Kim Bailey. Off the track since and returns back down in distance following wind surgery. Has run well fresh but others preferred, unless market confidence is significant on debut for new yard.

Form: 11343/3-

Hazy Glen³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 121

15/2

Promise in maiden/novice hurdles last season and improved to make a winning handicap debut/reappearance at Haydock (19f soft) in December. Raised 5 lb for that but it may have been the added emphasis on stamina that was his undoing last time (fifth of 10, 24.3f). Looks a player back down in trip.

Form: 6223-15

Rich Spirit⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Power⁽⁷⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 120

18/1

Has some fairly useful winning hurdles form to his name but has failed to complete on 4 of his last 5 starts (hurdles and fences). Returns to smaller obstacles today and could outrun his odds if recent falls haven't dented his confidence.

Form: 2FP-F4F

Nordic Tiger^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Megan Fox⁽⁷⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 119| D

12/1

Successful 3 times last season and ran right up to form when fourth in 8-runner handicap at Doncaster (19.4f, good) on return. Below-par in more testing conditions latest on the back of a 7-week break and he should improve on that effort today.

Form: 1121-47

Ashington⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 117| D

66/1

Winner over hurdles at Kelso in September but poor runs over hurdles and on the Flat since (finished last at Newcastle 9 days ago). Capable on a going day but needs a resurgence on the back of most recent efforts.

Form: 531617

Singapore Trip^t⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 116| D

22/1

Returned to the pick of his French form to open his account on British soil in 10-runner handicap hurdle at Perth (20.2f) in May, always holding on. Poor round of jumping put paid to his chances on his comeback run at this venue. No surprise to see him leave that effort well behind him here.

Form: 3343-15

Magic Wave²⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: M Walford| OR: 113

18/1

Overcame 12-month absence when landing the odds in a Market Rasen maiden (20.6f) in November. Hasn't been able to build on that but has been well-supported in the market the last twice, disappointing on both occasions, latest on better ground. Return to more testing conditions may help on comeback.

Form: 12/12P-0

Goldwyn⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 112| C

28/1

Fairly useful form over hurdles while displaying the odd quirk. Didn't take to chasing when pulled-up in November and he should be much more competitive back over the smaller obstacles.

Form: F/321-8P

North Parade¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 109| D

9/1

A three-time 2m4f scorer at Newcastle last term and has run with credit this season when second here (21.3f, soft) in December. Struggled in a stronger race last time and produced his worst round of jumping for a while. Needs to bounce back from that but has ran well on his last two visits here.

Form: 0-94528

Forecasts

Mr Bramley (7/4), Hazy Glen (15/2), North Parade (9/1), Bowling Buddy (11/1), Joyeux Machin (11/1), Nordic Tiger (12/1), Sayadam (16/1), Magic Wave (18/1), Blenkinsop (18/1), Rich Spirit (18/1), Foster'sisland (22/1), Monviel (22/1), Singapore Trip (22/1), Goldwyn (28/1), Rafferty's Return (33/1), Cormier (50/1), Ashington (66/1)

A typically competitive Saturday handicap hurdle, but Mr Bramley appeals the most following his creditable third in a stronger race than this at Newbury, having been sent for home plenty soon enough. Hazy Glen had his stamina stretched over 3 miles and he's a player back down in trip, along with Foster'sisland who has run well on his last two visits to this venue.