Fairlight Studio Happy New Year Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 11.79s

My My My Delilah⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Coltherd| OR: 100

8/1

Fair form when making the frame all 3 starts in bumpers last season but yet to match it in a trio of hurdling runs, coming in a remote third of 6 in 2m5f Kelso novice last month. Needs this switch to handicaps to spark improvement.

Form: 422-653

Kazar Forez⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 98| D

5/6

Fair ex-French hurdler who took a big step forward for his current yard after 10 months off when getting off the mark in 8-runner handicap at Newcastle (16.9f, good to soft) last month. Up 4 lb but he had something left in the tank there and holds leading claims.

Form: P/4298-1

Saviour¹⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: William Shanahan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 95

14/1

A fair maiden on the Flat who proved too headstrong in 4 hurdle starts for Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero last season. Given a considerate reappearance for his new yard over C&D in October and can build on it.

Form: 634P-7

Expelliarmus^p⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: K Brogan| T: B Haslam| OR: 93

13/2

Capable of fair form on the Flat and over hurdles for Joseph O'Brien but yet to match that for current handler, fifth of 8 in 2m1f Newcastle handicap hurdle last month. Mark falling but she needs to take a step forward.

Form: 4/7-6755

The Coffey Boy²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: I A Duncan| OR: 92

4/1

Hinted at promise in novices and appealed as a likely improver on his handicap debut but he came in just 10th of 19 at Ayr (2m4f, 17/2) 23 days ago. This Irish point winner may still do better though.

Form: 5/1-8670

Delayed Charm^t¹⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 81

40/1

Probably flattered when fourth in a novice hurdle at Kelso in May and has failed to build on that by a long chalk in 2 subsequent starts, showing temperament to boot when running out at Carlisle in October. Has plenty to prove going handicapping now.

Form: P87-47R

Macho Sun^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 66

16/1

Modest maiden on the Flat and it's been a similar story in this sphere thus far, a never-dangerous sixth of 10 in 2m4f handicap at Market Rasen 30 days ago. Others are preferred.

Form: P49-746

Forecasts

Kazar Forez (5/6), The Coffey Boy (4/1), Expelliarmus (13/2), My My My Delilah (8/1), Saviour (14/1), Macho Sun (16/1), Delayed Charm (40/1)

KAZAR FOREZ had some fair form to his name in France and returned from a ten-month absence a different model for Micky Hammond when gaining his breakthrough success at Newcastle. He is fancied to make light of a 4 lb rise in this weakly-contested event at the chief expense of Saviour, who wasn't knocked about starting out for this yard here in October and can go forward now. The Coffey Boy appeals as the pick of the rest for minor honours.