15:55 Wetherby

Saturday 31 October 2020

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 9.38s

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Selected odds by:

Sakhee's City^p²⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 131| CD

18/1

Runner-up in this race 12 months ago prior to going one better back here 2 weeks later. However, pulled up at Doncaster when last seen in February and he's not the most reliable.

Form: 8/2152P-

Look My Way⁸⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 130

40/1

Did well as a novice during 2017/18, notably finishing second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. By no means handicapped out of things, but wellbeing to prove following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Form: 2128/

The Some Dance Kid²⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 129

66/1

Bumper/fairly useful hurdles winner who was desperately disappointing over fences last season. Also struggled in a bumper when last seen 8 months ago and plenty to prove now.

Form: 11/5567-

Oistrakh Le Noir⁹¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 128

20/1

French import who did well in first season on this side of the Channel in 2018, not beaten far in valuable Sandown handicap in April of that year. Subsequent absence an obvious concern.

Form: 121237/

Arrivederci³⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128

4/1

Bumper winner in 2018 and opened hurdles account at the fourth attempt at Wincanton (15.3f) in January. Improvement may be forthcoming now switched to a handicap and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 14/3721-

Ballyhill³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127| D

28/1

Very useful when on-song, but well below his best in handful of runs over fences last season and didn't fare any better back in this sphere on Uttoxeter (19.9f) reappearance.

Form: 30/66P-5

Shang Tang²³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 126WS

11/1

Showed ability in bumpers and runner-up twice in novice hurdles last season. Stamina possibly stretched upped to 21f on Kempton handicap debut in March and has subsequently undergone wind surgery.

Form: 33/2620-

Group Stage²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 126

16/1

Winner of Ludlow juvenile hurdle last November and good second in Musselburgh listed event in February. Never in the hunt on recent reappearance, though, and others make more appeal.

Form: 1420-8

War Lord²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 126

9/1

Successful at Plumpton and Taunton last season, and by no means disgraced in a Grade 3 Kempton handicap in March. 1 lb lower back from a 7-month break and he's not without hope.

Form: 5/13418-

Imperial Knight²⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 126

16/1

Promise in bumpers and stepped up on previous efforts in this sphere when runner-up in a Haydock handicap (24.3f) in January. Drop back in trip no problem and he merits respect.

Form: 2P32/U2-

Do Wanna Know^t1²⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R T Dunne| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125| DWS

5/1

Looked useful as a novice last term, winning both completed starts. Has undergone a wind op and brings potential to the table now that he goes down the handicap route. Tongue strap applied.

Form: 2/1F1-

Sam's Gunner²³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 125| D

40/1

Developed in to a useful hurdler during first half of 2018, but offered little in 2 starts last season and plenty to prove now.

Form: 1P32/75-

Always Resolute^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 125| CD

25/1

Dual winner during 2018/19 campaign, including over C&D. Not disgraced back here sole start last season and both his wellbeing and fitness (successful on the Flat month) are assured.

Form: 1612U/6-

The Paddy Pie²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 121| D

50/1

Produced a career-best when landing a 20.1f Newcastle handicap chase on final start of last season. Resumes in this sphere on a feasible mark and he's not ruled out by any means.

Form: 4/73F31-

Enfin Phil¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120

50/1

Best effort yet when winning 19f handicap at Catterick in January. However, well held both subsequent starts, including on recent Sedgefield reappearance.

Form: 64215-9

Henrietta Bell²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁷⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 119

16/1

Twice placed over fences this summer and creditable fourth of 13 back hurdling at Hexham (23.3f) 3 weeks ago. 1 lb lower now and she has to enter calculations.

Form: 3-63384

Calum Gilhooley³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 119| BF

4/1

Bumper winner who has taken well to hurdles, back-to-back winner of Newton Abbot novices prior to finishing fourth of 14 on handicap debut at Warwick (21f). Further progress likely and merits respect.

Form: 10/2114

Eaglehill²³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Murphy| OR: 112

12/1

Irish point winner who opened his hurdles account at the sixth attempt at Hereford (21.7f) in March. More needed up 7 lb in this stronger race, but there's a good chance that he has more to offer.

Form: 875921-

Non-Runners

Garrettstown²⁹¹

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: Harry Skelton

Melekhov³⁵⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: P Hobbs & J White J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Arrivederci (4/1), Calum Gilhooley (4/1), Do Wanna Know (5/1), War Lord (9/1), Shang Tang (11/1), Eaglehill (12/1), Garrettstown (12/1), Melekhov (14/1), Henrietta Bell (16/1), Group Stage (16/1), Imperial Knight (16/1), Sakhee's City (18/1), Oistrakh Le Noir (20/1), Always Resolute (25/1), Ballyhill (28/1), Look My Way (40/1), Sam's Gunner (40/1), Enfin Phil (50/1), The Paddy Pie (50/1), The Some Dance Kid (66/1)

The really interesting one is DO WANNA KNOW, who looked very promising as a novice last season and this opening mark may prove to be a lenient one. Arrivederci also brings potential to the table and he is feared most. That said, Calum Gilhooley is also open to improvement and needs considering, while Eaglehill, Imperial Knight and War Lord are others with claims in a competitive handicap.