12:13 Fakenham

Sunday 22 December 2024

All12:1312:4313:1313:4314:1314:4315:13

Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:13 | Winning time: 6m 20.53s

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Selected odds by:

Star Legend^v¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁵⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 98| C

7/2

Course winner, Runner-up twice over hurdles in June but struggled on last two hurdle starts, well-beaten in Huntingdon selling handicap in November and below par again when eleventh of 16 in handicap hurdle (11/1) at Southwell. Has ran well here so hopes rest on a revival.

Form: 3-22450

Hardy Buck²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 95

14/1

Pulled up in handicap chase at Wexford (25.5f, soft, 28/1) 29 days ago, struggling badly over circuit out. Made the frame in Point-to-Points in Ireland since and back under rules on first start for new yard (previously with the John Joseph Hanlon yard when last seen under Rules).

Form: F9P323

Faded Fantasy^b1,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 93

5/2

Not won since June 2023 but came close on first attempt over fences, closed all the way to the line. Possibly didn't take to cheekpieces on next outing (25 days ago). Interesting back over hurdles with blinkers tried, at a course where yard does well and with former stable jockey aboard.

Form: 757427

She Won't Mind⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Reed| T: T Reed| OR: 87

4/1

Raced freely when tailed off sole outing in bumpers and has made little impact in 3 novice hurdles (last seen 50 days ago and well beaten at Ayr). Significantly up in trip on handicap debut following short break, and extra distance could bring about some improvement.

Form: 3/105-89

Flemen's Tipple^p,t1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: A Irvine| OR: 85

15/2

Runner-up a few times over hurdles and finally got his head in front over the fences in decisive fashion at Huntingdon (23.6f, good to firm) in May. Possibly amiss given the way he wilted at Warwick (24f) later that month. Last of 4 on return to hurdling (looked rusty) and tongue tie on now.

Form: 6P6-1P4

Ghost Pepper⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 81

16/1

From a good family but down the field in 2m Stratford hurdles 4 months apart before finishing last at Hereford 40 days ago. Looks one to improve with time, although step up in trip will be in his favour and betting may offer a guide of what is expected on handicap debut.

Form: 406

Tis But A Scratch^p⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Georgie Howell| OR: 74

15/2

Remains a maiden after 20 runs. Huntingdon fifth was one of his better efforts but did not back it up when well-beaten at Kempton (24.6f) last month and overall his record is unconvincing.

Form: 32P957

Go Fox^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 69| C

14/1

Course winner. Won over fences in summer 2023 and runner-up twice here (hurdles and fences) last winter. Largely downhill since including when stepped up to 3m on latest chase outing (sixth of 7) at this venue last month. Back over hurdles today and something to prove from out of weights.

Form: 5-36576

Porridge²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: Tracey Leeson| OR: 51

80/1

Fourth on sole outing in points but hasn't offered much under Rules, never involved on latest start at Leicester (20.5f, heavy, 20/1) 21 days ago and up against it once again from out of the handicap.

Form: U0PP34

Non-Runners

Von Hallers⁶⁹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Faded Fantasy (5/2), Von Hallers (5/2), Star Legend (7/2), She Won't Mind (4/1), Flemen's Tipple (15/2), Tis But A Scratch (15/2), Hardy Buck (14/1), Go Fox (14/1), Ghost Pepper (16/1), Porridge (80/1)

All of these have something to prove in one way or another, but FADED FANTASY may be the least risky option. If taking to the first-time blinkers, he can enhance his trainer's good record at this venue. She Won't Mind may not have the most inspiring form figures but this is a modest contest, and the step up in trip could bring her into the mix. Star Legend has lost his way of late but the return to the scene of his sole hurdles victory could see him run better.