CHC Countryfair On 18/19th June 2022 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 11.25s

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Selected odds by:

Howdyalikemenow⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122| D

16/5

Fair maiden in Ireland who has improved upon joining this stable, landing Stratford novice prior to defying a penalty at Fakenham in October. Not beaten far on handicap bow and this less competitive.

Form: 652-110

Wicked West¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 122| CD

11/8

Improved model for new stable, winning maiden/novice events (including over C&D) last year. Poor start in handicaps but bounced back to his best when third at Lingfield recently. Shortlisted.

Form: 4-11053

Eamon An Cnoic^b,t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 120| D

10/1

Classy chaser on his day and proved a lot more reliable in a busy spell early last year. Finished well held back over hurdles at Exeter last month so others appeal more.

Form: 203-2P9

Higgs⁵²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 115| BF

50/1

Dual winner is proving expensive to follow, producing his best effort when runner-up at Southwell 17 months ago. Has rejoined former yard and watching brief advised on return.

Form: 8355/32-

Sabbathical⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 102| D

5/2

In good form over fences in recent weeks, second at Ffos Las before easily going one better at Fakenham in November. Creditable third of 6 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (15.8f, good) since.

Form: 137-213

Sirop De Menthe³⁰¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-4| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 100| C| D

20/1

Course winner who is without a win for over 5 years, and he's offered little on his last three runs. His mark is sliding but it's easy to look elsewhere after 10 months off the track.

Form: 2/5F007-

Non-Runners

Natural History²⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Applesandpierres²⁶

Weight: 10-6| Age: 14

T: Mrs S Leech J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Wicked West (11/8), Sabbathical (5/2), Howdyalikemenow (16/5), Natural History (10/3), Eamon An Cnoic (10/1), Sirop De Menthe (20/1), Applesandpierres (33/1), Higgs (50/1)

WICKED WEST left his previous efforts in handicaps behind at Lingfield just over a fortnight ago, staying on gradually in the straight to finish a never-nearer third. Dropped 1 lb for that effort, Dr Richard Newland's charge gets the vote to notch a third career success. The Evan Williams-trained pair Sabbathical and Howdyalikemenow look dangers and can chase the selection home in that order.