15:32 Wetherby

Friday 28 March 2025

All14:0014:3015:0015:3216:0716:4517:2017:50

Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 5m 12.42s

Kap Vert⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120

8/1

Landed 2m Exeter novice in December and has posted creditable placed efforts since there and at Sandown. Entitled to play a part again returned to further on his handicap debut.

Form: 9-25133

Jacovec Cavern⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: P Hennessy| OR: 120| BF

11/4

Irish raider who looked to have the race at his mercy (clear in front) when falling last in handicap hurdle at Cork (20f, good to soft) 8 days ago. Up 6 lb here but still weighted to gain compensation.

Form: 6/8850F

Foster'sisland^p1⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 117| D

16/1

On a losing run and he came in only eighth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (22.7f, soft) 42 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now and he's the sort to bounce back.

Form: 204578

Jericoacoara¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 117

40/1

A fairly useful ex-French 2m1f hurdles winner and not disgraced on both runs for his current yard, third of 4 in handicap at Newcastle (16.9f, good to soft) 13 days ago. Not ruled out now stepping up in trip.

Form: 554-743

Blue Hop^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 116

6/1

Resumed winning ways at Doncaster in January and backed it up with a good second of 17 in handicap hurdle at Ascot (23.5f, good) 41 days ago. Form has been franked so he's a likely player.

Form: 75-6312

Park Annonciade^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 115

12/1

Yet to score this term but he comes here in decent nick, fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) 32 days ago. Needs considering eased 1 lb.

Form: F7F334

Butler's Brief^p¹²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph| OR: 112| D

80/1

Scored at Bangor in October but pulled up in handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f, soft) following month. Back from a break now with a bit to prove.

Form: P6731P

Soldierofthestorm⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 111| BF

18/1

Has twice failed to build on an encouraging reappearance third at Hereford, eighth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (20.7f, soft) in January. More required after a break.

Form: 413-388

Magic Wave⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 111| D

11/1

Lightly-raced 2m4f hurdles winner. Off 9 months before an encouraging sixth of 17 in handicap here (19.7f, soft) 55 days ago. Can make his presence felt off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 2/12P-06

Crazierthandaisy⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 109| D

6/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who was runner-up in her first 2 hurdles before making no mistake in Warwick mares' novice (21f, soft) on New Year's Eve. Should have more to offer in handicaps for leading connections.

Form: 31-221

Kilta^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: S England| OR: 108| BF| D

9/1

Made a winning chase debut in 3-runner event at Cartmel last May. Has proved inconsistent since, however, and reverts to hurdles with more needed.

Form: 532343

Book Of Tales⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 107

9/1

Fair 14f Flat winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Fontwell in August 2023. Has run with credit when in the frame in handicaps at Doncaster and Musselburgh this term and looks worth a try over this longer trip. Not without interest.

Form: 1-24

Kalhandrion^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 104

14/1

Failed to build on earlier promise on his handicap bow when fifth of 7 at Newbury (20.5f, soft) 28 days ago. Not written off yet.

Form: 5-54P65

Forecasts

Jacovec Cavern (11/4), Blue Hop (6/1), Crazierthandaisy (6/1), Kap Vert (8/1), Kilta (9/1), Book Of Tales (9/1), Magic Wave (11/1), Park Annonciade (12/1), Kalhandrion (14/1), Foster'sisland (16/1), Soldierofthestorm (18/1), Jericoacoara (40/1), Butler's Brief (80/1)

This is wide open but Irish challenger JACOVEC CAVERN looked to have the race in safe keeping until coming down at the final flight at Cork last week and is fancied to gain compensation off a still handy mark. Nicky Henderson's handicap debutant Crazierthandaisy appeals as a likely improver and could emerge as the main danger, although Book of Tales, Blue Hop and Magic Wave all need factoring into this competitive handicap too.