14:50 Hexham

Wednesday 11 December 2024

All12:2012:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:20

'Event Of Sivola' Ursa Major Legend Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 37.02s

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Selected odds by:

Red Happy^b,t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 112| D

33/1

Completed hat-trick at Carlisle a year ago but ran poorly at Kelso on return, a race he won last year. Headgear back on.

Form: 11353-7

Tom Cody^t²²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 112| D

25/1

Steadily progressive over fences last season, winning 3 times, and ended campaign with a good third at Perth over a marathon trip. Scored over this distance last term but usual headgear is left off.

Form: 142413-

Hold Up La Colmine⁶²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 112| D

6/1

Irish point winner who was a narrow winner on handicap hurdle bow at Sedgefield in March 2023. Off since but should make a chaser and yard in good form.

Form: 433331/

High Moon^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 111| D

9/2

Has developed a patchy record but signs of a revival last 2 starts after 5 months off, arguably shaping best but seeming stretched by the step up to 3m when third at Musselburgh 13 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Has to be taken seriously back down in distance.

Form: 32P-P53

Imperial Bede³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110| D

2/1

French bumper/hurdles winner who ran out a ready winner on chase debut at Southwell (20.4f) in February. Yet to build on that, though latest third at Wetherby after a break was at least a step back in the right direction. Possibilities.

Form: 2-44763

Cream Of The West²⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 108| C

14/1

Progressive in handicap hurdles last season, winning twice. Disappointed at Haydock final start and now goes chasing on return (runner-up completed start in Irish points).

Form: 0/3121P-

Backbyjet^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: B Ellison| OR: 108| CD

14/1

Already a 3-time winner over this C&D this season. Not in same form at Newcastle next 2 starts but no surprise if he bounced back returned to this venue.

Form: 11513P

Chosen Hero^p⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: A Watson| OR: 106

12/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who resumed with a good close third of 11 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (19.8f, soft) 54 days ago. One to consider now going over fences (Irish point winner).

Form: 391P3-3

Know The Game^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105

150/1

Fair chaser who was runner-up in a Limerick handicap in April. Well held last 3 starts, though, including starting out for this yard last month.

Form: 062-076

Rattling Road^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 105

15/2

Won an Irish point in April 2022. Progressed on his first 3 outings over hurdles earlier this year but disappointed final start. Not seen to best effect on chase bow at Ayr on return (given plenty to do) and is capable of better.

Form: 1/5534-4

Halpha Soleil¹⁹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 104| CD

25/1

Looked better than ever when winning over hurdles here when last seen in June. Player if taking to fences at the first attempt.

Form: P462-41

Grand Voyage^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 100| D

25/1

Long time without success but back to form when runner-up at Kelso (21.6f, good to soft) in May. Returned with a solid performance over C&D but needs to shrug off a dreadful performance at Ayr last month.

Form: 42-826P

Kauto D'Amour⁴²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 92| D

80/1

Dual hurdles winner who was placed on all 3 completed starts over fences in 2022. Fell on sole outing of last year over C&D and he'll need to have brushed up his jumping now returning from another lengthy absence.

Form: 0P232/F-

Scalloway Bay^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 88

13/2

Modest maiden over hurdles but holds his form well and made a decent start over fences when fourth at Ayr on return despite making mistakes. Entitled to improve on that.

Form: 33V45-4

Forecasts

Imperial Bede (2/1), High Moon (9/2), Hold Up La Colmine (6/1), Scalloway Bay (13/2), Rattling Road (15/2), Chosen Hero (12/1), Cream Of The West (14/1), Backbyjet (14/1), Grand Voyage (25/1), Halpha Soleil (25/1), Tom Cody (25/1), Red Happy (33/1), Kauto D'Amour (80/1), Know The Game (150/1)

Plenty to consider with the vote going to HIGH MOON, who is threatening to come good soon and is partnered by a good-value 7-lb conditional. Rattling Road caught the eye on his chase bow at Ayr so makes the shortlist along with chase debutants Halpha Soleil and Hold Up La Colmine.