12:20 Wetherby

Saturday 26 December 2020

All11:5012:2012:5313:2814:0514:4015:13

William Hill Acca Freedom Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:21 | Winning time: 7m 5.82s

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Selected odds by:

Quick Pick^v1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 107| D

13/2

Won 2 novice hurdles at Sedgefield in 2017/18 and showed signs of a revival when third there back over fences 22 days ago. Visor replaces the cheekpieces and he warrants respect for in-form yard.

Form: 432/653

Kings Cave^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 105| D

9/1

Winning pointer who improved from hurdling debut when runner-up in a novice at Hexham. Failed to take a step forward on chase/handicap debut over C&D 3 weeks ago (dropped away tamely) so more needed.

Form: 2F1-426

Slainte Mhor^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 105

12/1

Went wrong way from chasing debut but got back on track in first-time cheekpieces when runner-up at Ayr 26 days ago. Not ruled out from slightly higher mark.

Form: F62-352

Mance Rayder^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 105

14/1

Bounced back to best to capitalise on a falling mark in 12-runner event at Doncaster in November but ran poorly on the back of an 8 lb rise when unseating over C&D 3 weeks ago. Should bounce back.

Form: 3-8741U

Shaughnessy^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 105

25/1

Bumper winner in 2018 for Oliver Sherwood but didn't offer a huge amount on first outing for new yard after 10 months off (also had wind op) when well beaten at Newcastle 16 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 43/34P-5

Eau Top^p1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 104| BF

9/2

All the better for return when good second on chase bow at Bangor but was a bit caught out by inexperience on his second start over fences at Southwell last month. Cheekpieces on and he's a player.

Form: 446-524

Mill Race King²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100| D

8/1

Winning pointer who showed a bit of promise in novice hurdles in early 2019 and was running well when departing sent straight over fences for his handicap debut at Leicester 23 days ago. One to note.

Form: 6152/5F

The Reaping Race^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 98| D

22/1

Hurdles winner at Tipperary in August and shaped as if better for the run on first outing since leaving Eric McNamara when well beaten at Sedgefield on chase debut earlier this month.

Form: 413377

Eagle De Guye²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Dobbin| OR: 91

10/3

Placed in his only point back in May 2018 and having missed all of 2019, bettered his hurdling form at the first attempt over fences when third at this course 3 weeks ago. Step up in trip will suit.

Form: 6-973

Bene Regina^t1¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 85| D

20/1

Dual point winner who showed aptitude for chasing when 18 lengths fourth here a year ago but pulled up on both starts since, including at Carlisle on return 13 days ago. Tongue tie goes on.

Form: 485/4P-P

Aim For Fame²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 83

20/1

Yet to show any ability in a trio of starts over hurdles and makes little appeal on chase/handicap debut.

Form: 090

Vintage Glen^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 77

14/1

Lightly raced maiden who looked held back by inexperience when midfield in a novices' handicap chase at Kelso (23.4f) in October. Jumped better at this course last time but others appeal more.

Form: 0/68-464

Commanding Spirit^p,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Billy Garritty⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 76| D

25/1

Ran one of better races from 6 lb out of the handicap when fourth at Sedgefield 22 days ago, though did have the run of things from the front. Others preferred.

Form: PP-74P4

Trimmers Lane⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 74| D

25/1

Ended 2019/20 out of sorts and he fared no better on reappearance, ninth of 14 in 20f handicap chase at Uttoxeter. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 185P6-9

Forecasts

Eagle De Guye (10/3), Eau Top (9/2), Quick Pick (13/2), Mill Race King (8/1), Kings Cave (9/1), Slainte Mhor (12/1), Vintage Glen (14/1), Mance Rayder (14/1), Bene Regina (20/1), Aim For Fame (20/1), The Reaping Race (22/1), Trimmers Lane (25/1), Commanding Spirit (25/1), Shaughnessy (25/1)

The speed-favouring track at Southwell hardly looked ideal for EAU TOP last month, yet to be asked for his effort when making a bad mistake 4 out. He's well worth another chance and is taken to gain his first victory in first-time cheekpieces. Mill Race King was running well when departing on his chase/handicap bow earlier this month so rates as the main threat, ahead of Eagle de Guye.