16:13 Wetherby

Wednesday 12 February 2025

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1316:48

Wetherby Racecourse & Conference Centre Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 5m 6.81s

Persian Time^b1⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

20/1

Won 2 of first 4 starts over fences last term, but ended the campaign in underwhelming fashion and hasn't shown much spark in 2 outings this season. However, he's capable if on a going day as he makes handicap hurdle debut with blinkers applied.

Form: P14P-5P

West To The Bridge^p,t³²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| CD

17/2

Stepped up on his comeback run when third at Bangor (19.6f, soft) in November but not in the same form both starts since, fifth of 9 at Ffos Las (23.9f, heavy) last month. Veteran of the line-up, though he's on a handy mark as cheekpieces go back on.

Form: 44-3345

Pinot Rouge^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 126

40/1

Took well to hurdling last season, winning listed novice at Doncaster ahead of good fourth in Aintree Grade 1. Having started current campaign over fences, returned to form back hurdling at Ayr in January, before facing a stiff task at Doncaster last time. More needed.

Form: 4-36P46

Range³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 125

13/2

Confirmed promise of hurdling bow when winning a Chepstow novice last term and also scored at the same course on second start over fences this season. Let down by jumping on 2 most recent outings, but he could fare better making handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 54-F17F

American Sniper^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 125| BF

12/1

Back to best with cheekpieces refitted when gamely landing 4-runner handicap at Newbury (24.2f, good to soft) in November. Has continued in good heart both starts since, third at this course (21.2f, soft) on Boxing Day, and he can give his running again.

Form: 7-09163

Herbiers^t,v1¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 123| D

40/1

Useful handicap hurdler/chaser at best, but there has been little to shout about since returning from a lengthy absence in November, pulled up on 2 of 3 starts this season (over fences last 2 outings). Has enough to prove now tried in visor.

Form: 14/2-P5P

Bertie's Ballet²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 122

10/3

Has got back on track quickly reverted to hurdling this season, better than ever when scoring in determined fashion at Haydock (15.6f, soft) 25 days ago. Remains lightly raced at this longer trip and he could be thereabouts once more.

Form: P36231

Il Va De Soi^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| D

3/1

Ended last season with victories at Chepstow and Uttoxeter in April and shaped well on second start of the current campaign, travelling fluently under a positive ride when runner-up at Sandown (19.8f, soft) 19 days ago. Major player with more still to offer.

Form: 7211-52

Balboa²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 117

28/1

Fairly useful juvenile hurdler, winning at Chepstow on third start, and ran well when second at the same course on return in October. However, form has gone the wrong way the last twice, well held at Newbury (16.3f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago.

Form: 42-25P6

Rich Spirit¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Power⁽⁷⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 116

22/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler in 2023/24 but failed to complete on final 2 races in March. Also fell twice in 3 starts over fences to begin the current season, before finishing well beaten back hurdling at this C&D (soft) 11 days ago.

Form: FP-F4F0

Highlands Legacy²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115

3/1

Off the mark at third attempt over hurdles with a wide-margin success at Southwell last spring. Failed to land the odds next time, but after 8 months off he was a good second of 15 on handicap debut at Wincanton (19.8f, soft) last month. Could be in the mix.

Form: 32F1-22

Non-Runners

Hardy Du Seuil²⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: Jamie Snowden J: William Featherstone

Pigeon House¹¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: J Candlish J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Highlands Legacy (3/1), Il Va De Soi (3/1), Bertie's Ballet (10/3), Hardy Du Seuil (11/2), Range (13/2), West To The Bridge (17/2), American Sniper (12/1), Pigeon House (16/1), Persian Time (20/1), Rich Spirit (22/1), Balboa (28/1), Herbiers (40/1), Pinot Rouge (40/1)

IL VA DE SOI ended 2023/24 on the up and caught the eye with how fluently he travelled at Sandown on his second run back this season, only beaten by a progressive type, so he is taken to resume winning ways. He can see off the challenge of Hardy du Seuil, who is respected back down in grade, with Bertie's Ballet completing the shortlist.