12:53 Kelso

Sunday 29 December 2024

All12:1812:5313:2814:0314:3815:13

Slainte Mhath Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:53 | Winning time: 5m 53.09s

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Selected odds by:

Idem³²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| CD

12/1

C&D winner here in May and not disgraced when eighth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, good) in October. Well-backed but disappointed at Market Rasen last time out (refused 2 out when beaten) and needs to bounce back from that.

Form: F5-128R

Nab Wood³¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 122| CD

5/1

Lightly-raced gelding won 2m6f novice hurdle over C&D and followed up in equally impressive style on his handicap debut here in February (overcoming pace bias). Hiked up 8 lb and ideally wants it softer but looked a useful prospect and would be dangerous to dismiss if ready to roll on his return,

Form: 67211-

Young Jack²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 121| CD

4/1

Maiden point winner who scored on his second start over hurdles at Newcastle (2½m, heavy) in February. Built on decent return at Carlisle (20f) with career-best effort over C&D three weeks ago, winning with a bit in hand. Best form on slower ground but is unexposed and has to be considered.

Form: 2139-51

Fingal's Hill^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: P Atkinson| OR: 120

12/1

Consistent and likeable hurdler who looked and shaped as though in need of the run in first-time cheekpieces at Carlisle on comeback. Latest effort was a step in the right direction when third of 6 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (19.7f, soft) 32 days ago. Not ruled out with cheekpieces retained.

Form: 7524-83

Bertie B²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 118

9/2

Opened his hurdles account at Hereford in February and good second at Uttoxeter (19.9f, good to soft) on comeback this season. Career best when winning 11-runner handicap hurdle at Plumpton (20.5f, soft, 5/1) 27 days ago. Looks a straightforward sort and can go well again tackling longer trip.

Form: 7313-21

Ballytechno²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 117

11/2

Left bumper form behind when sent hurdling for new yard, supplementing his maiden success switched to a handicap at Ascot in November (19.3f) winning with something to spare. Tough task in a Grade 2 last time (pulled up) and a better showing expected upped in trip and back in calmer waters.

Form: 47211P

Kingston Bridge²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 112| C

22/1

Course winner back in April and displayed a willing attitude for latest victory at Hexham June before a couple of quieter runs. Shaped poorly on comeback three weeks ago and dropped another 2 lb in handicap. Would be a player if recapturing best form, but that looks a sizeable if based on last run.

Form: 1-81960

I Am Max⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 112

11/2

Bumper winner on debut in February and followed up on hurdles bow at Ayr (2m) later that month. Much improved when third on handicap debut in that sphere at Hexham in May (20f) prior to falling on chase debut at Wetherby (21.3f) 74 days ago. Retains untapped potential back over timber.

Form: 11-3F

Dunnet Head^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 109

12/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who went close to making a winning return at Carlisle in November. Not disgraced on chase debut here (in first-time tongue tie) still in contention when error 2 out ended his chance (23.4f, heavy). Switches to hurdles today and should be competitive with tongue-tie retained.

Form: 2/184-25

Guernesey^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 104

16/1

Last of 6 here in October but ran best race for a while after 7 weeks off when third of 11 in handicap hurdle at Hexham (20.1f, soft) 18 days ago (didn't jump fluently). Interesting to see if he can build on that.

Form: 553-863

Gypsey's Secret²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 91

33/1

Got off the mark aged 9 at Carlisle (soft) in March and followed it up with a solid effort here. Shaped as if needing the run, and a step up in trip when 21¼ lengths sixth of 10 to Young Jack in handicap hurdle at this C&D (soft, 28/1) 21 days ago. This looks a tough ask from out of the weights.

Form: 63214-6

Non-Runners

Gaillimh A Stor²¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: N W Alexander J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Young Jack (4/1), Bertie B (9/2), Nab Wood (5/1), I Am Max (11/2), Ballytechno (11/2), Idem (12/1), Fingal's Hill (12/1), Dunnet Head (12/1), Gaillimh A Stor (12/1), Guernesey (16/1), Kingston Bridge (22/1), Gypsey's Secret (33/1)

NAB WOOD created a favourable impression when scoring twice over C&D earlier in the year, and although he'd ideally benefit from more juice in the ground, he is still the one who appeals most for a yard whose horses are in flying form. There are plenty of others with chances, including fellow C&D winner Young Jack,who could be dangerous if getting his own way in front, and Guernsey who ran his best race in a while when third 18 days ago. Ballytechno gets an honourable mention now upped in trip.