11:40 Huntingdon

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All11:4012:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Merlin Inflatables Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 11:41 | Winning time: 6m 32.3s

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Selected odds by:

Laval Noir^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 110| C

9/2

Lightly- raced sort who won a bumper here on his debut last year beating a small field 6L. Remains with one standout effort over hurdles but has made little impact of late and now enters handicaps; looks well treated on his bumper form.

Form: 1/5-67

Miss Mash³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 109

16/1

Reverts to hurdles having jumped poorly on her chasing debut at Warwick last time out (pulled-up). Raced mainly over shorter recently when hurdling but should stay this far although he jumping still holds her back even over hurdles; looks fairly exposed off this mark.

Form: 62242P

A Tail Of Intrigue¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Humphries⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 107| C

16/1

Not seen over hurdles since late 2014 when with Ian Williams but has shown some reasonable over fences since although he did become a little disappointing. Ran poorly on his debut for this yard over fences at Exeter; more needed here with questions to answer.

Form: 3P-3FPP

Predict A Riot^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Edward Austin⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 107

8/1

Yet to win under Rules (won an Irish maiden point-to-point) but looked increasingly regressive for Dan Skelton (ran very lazily). Ran off a reduced mark on his first try for this yard but still looked awkward; mark drops again as does the grade but one to be wary of.

Form: 3447P-0

Lerichi Belle^e/s,h⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Stock⁽⁶⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 105

4/1

Had proved very difficult to settle in her bumper/novice starts but finally looked more tractable on her second handicap start at Ludlow over 2m5f. Left with plenty to do in an effort to get her settled and gives impression there is more to come if she settles again.

Form: 542-244

Samdibien^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 104

10/1

Fell two out when looking likely to win at Fontwell in January (2m6f) and should stay this far. Not really delivered since then though and although he shaped well enough over shorter at Southwell last time he didn't find much off the bridle.

Form: FP42-66

Miss Mayfair^p³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 102| BF| CD

9/1

Hardly the most prolific (off the mark 11th start over hurdles) but did produce a career best when winning a 0-100 handicap over 3m1f at Plumpton (poor favourite well beaten) off a 9lb lower mark. Ran with credit last time but this mark looks high enough.

Form: 22/2412

Cosmic Diamond^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: P R Webber| OR: 96| C

13/2

Showed improved form to get off the mark over shorter here in October and then improved again to win last time out (beat well backed stable switcher). Travelled well and now steps up in trip again; up 10lb for that win over a new trip but must be respected.

Form: 4-21031

Sackett²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Teal⁽⁶⁾| T: N B King| OR: 93

7/2

Only had one run for his previous yard (had been running in point-to-points) and left his previous efforts well behind at Uttoxeter in May (beaten by stronger stayer). Now with another yard but has been raised 12lb for that last effort; interesting to see what the market makes of him.

Form: 478/13-2

Non-Runners

Amberjam²²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: L Wadham J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Sackett (7/2), Lerichi Belle (4/1), Laval Noir (9/2), Cosmic Diamond (13/2), Amberjam (7/1), Predict A Riot (8/1), Miss Mayfair (9/1), Samdibien (10/1), Miss Mash (16/1), A Tail Of Intrigue (16/1)

Quite an interesting start to the card and Cosmic Diamond a winner here earlier in the year has a chance of following up her Towcester win although the handicapper raised her 10lb for that effort and her new mark and the trip may just prove beyond her. Sackett is one to watch in the market making his debut for the Neil King yard after a promising effort earlier in the year although he’s been handed a rise for that. Laval Noir may not be badly handicapped on his debut in a handicap especially on his bumper win here but LERICHI BELLE appeals the most. She hasn’t looked near the finished article yet but is learning to settle and this longer trip should suit and she looks as though the penny may be starting to drop.