15:57 Kempton

Saturday 9 January 2021

All12:0512:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3015:57

Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 3m 55.85s

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Selected odds by:

Chti Balko²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 141| D

4/1

Dropped in weights and back on song with emphatic win in 2m handicap at Haydock 21 days ago. Up 6 lb but handles soft ground well and weighted to go close again for yard among the winners.

Form: 5124-61

Fransham³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 140| CD

8/1

Arrives on a hat-trick after back-to-back 2m handicap victories at Wetherby, easily defying 5 lb rise on latter occasion. C&D winner too but 10 lb hike demands another step forward.

Form: 065-511

Malaya^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

16/5

2019 Imperial Cup winner who looked as good as ever when chasing home Kid Commando on return at Ascot in October. Below form in first-time tongue strap there last time but sort to bounce back.

Form: 3602-27

Millers Bank^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 133

7/1

Signed off for last season with two impressive wins but yet to hit form in two runs this term, having wind op before only eighth of 9 in 2m handicap at Newbury 42 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 5/211-98

Breffniboy²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 128| CD

2/1

Much-improved handicapper this term, making it 5 wins from last 6 starts in good style at Cheltenham (2m) 29 days ago. Up another 6 lb but hard to rule out in current mood.

Form: 131111

Timeforaspin⁴²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: M D I Usher| OR: 127

80/1

Much improved for Olly Murphy when readily landing 2m Bangor novice hurdle 14 months ago. Not seen on track since though and faces tough ask on handicap bow for new yard.

Form: 6723/51-

Manucci⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 124

20/1

Off the mark at second attempt in this sphere over 17.7f at Fontwell a year ago. Looked none too keen on next 2 starts but won on the level in October and since moved to Tim Vaughan. Not ruled out.

Form: 2132-

Nordican Bleue^h⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| D

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler who has scored twice and, back from a lengthy absence, shaped encouragingly when fourth in 2m Fakenham handicap on return. Dropped 2 lb so low-mileage mare is worth considering.

Form: 23/121-4

Non-Runners

Dream Du Grand Val³⁵⁴

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: A Irvine J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Breffniboy (2/1), Malaya (16/5), Chti Balko (4/1), Millers Bank (7/1), Fransham (8/1), Nordican Bleue (18/1), Dream Du Grand Val (20/1), Manucci (20/1), Timeforaspin (80/1)

A few with chances but CHTI BALKO spreadeagled his field at Haydock last month so is hard to side against raised just 6 lb for that victory with the Donald McCain team in great nick too. Nordican Bleue is fancied to build on her encouraging return at Fakenham and still has few miles on the clock so is feared most with Breffniboy not taken lightly either in his bid for a five-timer.