12:45 Kempton

Thursday 26 December 2024

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 5m 7.5s

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Selected odds by:

Range³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 131

6/1

Novice hurdle winner who struck at the second time of asking over fences in 19.5f Chepstow handicap 5 weeks ago. Should have more to offer.

Form: 2154-F1

Asta La Pasta^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

15/8

Bagged 3 hurdle victories last term and built on encouraging fencing bow when winning 3-runner handicap chase at Carlisle (2½m, good to soft) in November. Even better form when third over 2m at Newbury since. Should continue to give a good account.

Form: 110-313

First Street^t⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| C| DWS

10/1

Four-time hurdle winner but he hasn't reached the same level in 3 attempts over fences. Not at best back hurdling in a 2m listed race here in October. Given a chance by the handicapper in this sphere but comes with risks back from wind surgery.

Form: 330-454

El Rio⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 128| D

11/1

Low-mileage 7-y-o who has won a pair of handicap chases around 2½m this autumn, impressing with his accurate jumping at Sandown latterly. A further 6 lb rise shouldn't prevent him going well on the hat-trick bid.

Form: 7P6P-11

Es Perfecto³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 126| CD

13/2

Point/hurdles winner who made it fifth time lucky over fences when seeing off 6 rivals on his C&D reappearance a month ago. Possibly vulnerable to younger rivals in this after a 5 lb rise.

Form: 32338-1

Fire Flyer²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126

5/1

Won a pair of 19f novice hurdles last winter. Failed to make an impact in handicap hurdles subsequently but more like it switched to fences at Exeter 3 weeks ago, finishing a promising second over 17.5f. More to come, particularly now back up in trip.

Form: 11P0-P2

Tapley¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 120| C

33/1

Fairly useful hurdler, including a win in 2m Plumpton handicap in October. However, has run below that level switched to fences in recent weeks and it remains to be seen whether this significant step up in trip makes any difference.

Form: 4-21864

Leader In The Park³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 120

5/1

Cost £250,000 from points and looked good when making all in 19.5f Doncaster maiden hurdle in February. Finished weakly when fifth of 7 on his Cheltenham chase debut but it was his first outing in 7 months and he remains with potential over fences.

Form: 1/2614-5

Non-Runners

Leave Of Absence³¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: A J Honeyball J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Asta La Pasta (15/8), Leader In The Park (5/1), Fire Flyer (5/1), Range (6/1), Es Perfecto (13/2), First Street (10/1), Leave Of Absence (10/1), El Rio (11/1), Tapley (33/1)

FIRE FLYER looks the part for chasing and there was plenty to like about his first attempt at Exeter 3 weeks ago. The front-running Range has also taken well to fences and is second choice ahead of Asta La Pasta and the hat-trick seeking El Rio in a competitive opener.