14:25 Lingfield

Sunday 21 January 2024

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 48.61s

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Selected odds by:

Bold Endeavour^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144

11/2

Likeable and reliable sort ran another fine race in defeat when a close second in a 10-runner handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, good to soft) 37 days ago. Nudged up in the weights but likely to give another good account.

Form: 52-2352

Gowel Road²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143

13/2

Good fourth in big-field handicap hurdle at Haydock (24.3f, good to soft) on return from 13 months off in December and ran about as well as could have been expected when seventh in the in Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot (24.4f, good) 29 days ago. Respected.

Form: 27/21-47

Angels Breath²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 139

11/1

Ran a blinder on his first start over hurdles since his novice season back in 2018/19 when runner-up at Cheltenham in October. Jumping has proved an issue in pair of outings over fences since and he's an intriguing runner with 7-lb claimer aboard.

Form: 1/P2-274

Alaphilippe^t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135

16/1

Useful hurdler who hasn't stood much racing in recent seasons. Made a sound start over fences when second at Carlisle in October but below that level since and returns to the smaller obstacles with a bit to prove.

Form: 552/2P3

Nurse Susan³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

6/4

Very useful novice hurdler in 2021/22. Only twice raced since but she resumed winning ways in 10-runner handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (20.2f, good to soft) 36 days ago. 4 lb higher miark looks manageable and she's a leading player with few miles still on the clock.

Form: 1124/71

Moka De Vassy^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 125

20/1

Finally off the mark in a 4-runner handicap hurdle (13/2) at Taunton (23.9f, good to soft) 22 days ago, able to get away with a typically sloppy round of jumping in such a small field. Up only 2 lb and he's not ruled out back in tougher company.

Form: FP-5301

Midnightreflection^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 125

16/1

Registered a fifth career success with battling victory at Ascot (23.5f, good) in November and shaped better than the result when sixth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Kempton (24.6f, heavy) 25 days ago, wilting only late on. Can give another good account without posing a serious threat to principals.

Form: 85-U216

Shantou Express²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 122

50/1

Bagged a small-field Stratford handicap (26.4f, good) in June but hasn't fired since and others are more appealing.

Form: 913689

Ramo¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 122| BF

11/2

Progressive since upped to staying trips, getting the better of MIdnightreflection at Ludlow in November, Arrives after sound placed efforts at Carlisle and Plumpton and he holds very sound frame claims again.

Form: 12-1823

Tanganyika²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| D

10/1

Improved for the step up to staying trip when scoring at Bangor (23f) in December and ran at least as well in defeat when third of 8 behind Classic Concorde in handicap hurdle at Chepstow (23.6f, heavy, 3/1) 25 days ago. Bit more needed in this company, however.

Form: 16-4513

Non-Runners

Classic Concorde²⁵

Weight: 10-3| Age: 11

T: D Brace J: Tom Broughton

Forecasts

Nurse Susan (6/4), Ramo (11/2), Bold Endeavour (11/2), Gowel Road (13/2), Classic Concorde (8/1), Tanganyika (10/1), Angels Breath (11/1), Midnightreflection (16/1), Alaphilippe (16/1), Moka De Vassy (20/1), Shantou Express (50/1)

NURSE SUSAN remains low mileage in handicaps and looks to have been let off relatively lightly for last month's Cheltenham success, so she's taken to land this valuable prize at the chief expense of Nicky Henderson's consitent Bold Endeavour. The majority of the remainder have to something to recommend them, with Ramo the narrow pick to complete the placings, having built a solid recent record in staying handicaps.