Merry Christmas From Western House Hotel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 38.45s

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Selected odds by:

Here Comes McCoy^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 115

7/2

Made an inauspicious start over fences but back on track quickly returned to hurdles when third at Market Rasen (23.1f) in February. Filled the same spot on both subsequent outings, shaping like he'd come on for the run at Warwick on return. Not discounted.

Form: 16/U33-3

Mount Melleray^p⁴¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 115

25/1

Fair maiden hurdler who bettered that form in two outings over fences. Likely to need this return from over a year off, however.

Form: 23422/4-

Coral Blue^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D Bourke| OR: 106| C| D

20/1

Three-time winner last season, including at this course in February. Offered little on return at Newcastle and, while he may strip fitter for it, he needs a career best up in trip.

Form: 26118-9

Nowinittowinit^t1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Stephen Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 105

18/1

Left previous form well behind when causing an 80/1 upset in Perth maiden (20.2f) in April. Followed up in 3-runner handicap there the following month and shaped as if better for run at Musselburgh after 6 months off. Has a tongue tie on now.

Form: 6671-15

Ballin Bay²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 99

7/4

Milan gelding who continued his progress when making a successful return at Kelso at the expense of Enemy At The Gate. Can do better still, so worth a chance to uphold the form with that rival.

Form: 66643-1

Enemy At The Gate²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D W Whillans| OR: 98| BF

3/1

Fair maiden hurdler who produced his best effort to date when second to Ballin Bay on reappearance. On better terms with that rival and should go well again.

Form: 7823-42

Cream Of The West²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 97

9/2

Runner-up completed start in Irish points back in October 2020 and offered something to work on each of his three outings over hurdles, third in a novice at Hexham last time. Handicapper has taken no chances with opening mark, however.

Form: F2/60-3

Forecasts

Ballin Bay (7/4), Enemy At The Gate (3/1), Here Comes McCoy (7/2), Cream Of The West (9/2), Nowinittowinit (18/1), Coral Blue (20/1), Mount Melleray (25/1)

BALLIN BAY and Enemy At The Gate came clear of the remainder when dominating the finish at Kelso three weeks ago and they're taken to fill the first two positions again, with Pauline Robson's charge fancied to confirm that form.