13:15 Kempton

Saturday 25 February 2017

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Racing UK HD Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 2.1s

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Selected odds by:

Rainy City^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

10/1

Consistent sort who ran a nice race in third last time at a higher level than this. Much of his best form is over this shorter trip, but seems progressive and looks fairly treated by the handicapper.

Form: 112239-

Crimson Ark^h¹¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

10/1

Effectively fell rather than pulled up when beaten favourite last time but was going well until that point. Other than that the only horse he has been beaten by this season is Ballyoptic, and a replication of that form could be enough here.

Form: 4148-12

River Frost²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 133

5/1

Two time winner so far this season who fell when staying on towards the finish at Wincanton last time (2m4f, heavy). Will probably need to prove he's as effective on genuine good ground, and has to be a big player if so.

Form: 31

Lough Derg Leader⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: T Lacey| OR: 131

10/1

In good form so far this season before probably not quite seeing out the trip at Warwick last time. Still 11lb higher than his last win, but looks progressive, and has shown he has a liking for flat tracks.

Form: 1-211

Coastal Tiep⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130

11/2

C&D winner two starts ago but disappointed a little last time out at Ascot. Makes his handicap debut today off a high mark, but that may be fairly warranted, and given he's so lightly raced there's likely to be a lot of improvement in him.

Form: 111423

Easter Day²⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: H Spiller| OR: 129

50/1

Doesn't come into this race in the same good form as some of the others, having not won since December 2013. However, his handicap mark is gradually sinking, and he makes his first appearance for a new trainer. Any rain is a bonus.

Form: P94/453-

Wishing And Hoping⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 128

8/1

Has failed to complete three of his last four starts but has been in good form when managing to jump round. If he puts in a more accurate jumping performance today, he has to be one of the better treated horses here.

Form: 4/11P-2F

Nathans Pride²⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 128

25/1

Impressive winner of a good quality handicap hurdle when last seen at Aintree in May (2m4f, good to firm). Has the break to overcome today, and with a a 6lb rise for that last victory he is perhaps best watched on return.

Form: 946/170-

Shwaiman⁴⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Banks| OR: 127

66/1

Returns from a long lay-off when last seen on the Flat, and an even longer time over jumps. Wasn't in the best form in those races on the level but went close in a series of maiden hurdles before winning at Huntingdon in May 2015 (2m3½f, good to firm). That remains one of only two career wins, though.

Form: 52/21-8

Alibi De Sivola⁴⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127

9/1

Ran well in a bumper and a maiden hurdle before getting off the mark at the third time of asking at Carlisle in November 2015 on heavy ground. First run for a top trainer who tends to do well with horses returning from lay-offs, and worth a check in the market.

Form: 2/21-P

Expedite^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Shoemark| T: B Pauling| OR: 125

16/1

Probably didn't handle the ground when well beaten favourite at Leicester last time, having won well on his previous completion. Is 11lb higher than for that victory, but looks to be going the right way and could be worth another chance.

Form: 31U543-

Apple Of Our Eye⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 124

10/1

Has looked to be struggling off this handicap mark in recent contests, which has remained unchanged since he switched from novice events. This isn't any easier than those recent assignments, and he looks an unappealing prospect until he's cut some slack by the handicapper.

Form: 3/514-23

Argante²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123

6/1

Won as he liked in a maiden at Fakenham last time (2m4f, good to soft), having already shown some promise over shorter and on the Flat. Looks on a fair opening mark for this, and should be a progressive contender.

Form: 3/61P-

Forecasts

River Frost (5/1), Coastal Tiep (11/2), Argante (6/1), Wishing And Hoping (8/1), Alibi De Sivola (9/1), Crimson Ark (10/1), Rainy City (10/1), Apple Of Our Eye (10/1), Lough Derg Leader (10/1), Expedite (16/1), Nathans Pride (25/1), Easter Day (50/1), Shwaiman (66/1)

It's not an exaggeration to say that this is likely to be one of the more competitive handicap hurdles you will see this season, with none of the field able to be dismissed out of hand. Crimson Ark effectively fell rather than pulled up as the form line suggests last time, and having only been beaten by the smart Ballyoptic so far this season looks to be in with a good chance, while Wishing And Hoping could show himself to be very well treated if managing to jump round this time. Preference though, is for RIVER FROST. Alan King's charge has looked progressive all through this season and shaped as if today's intermediate distance would suit before falling in the mud at Wincanton last time. If showing no ill effects from that episode, he can provide the answer. 1. River Frost 2. Crimson Ark 3. Wishing And Hoping