15:53 Wetherby

Wednesday 26 February 2025

All13:4514:1514:4515:1815:5316:2817:00

Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:53 | Winning time: 6m 33.8s

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Selected odds by:

Baptism Of Fire⁹⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: J K Hunter| OR: 127| D

150/1

Useful chase winner for Henry de Bromhead in April 2022. Fitness to prove back hurdling for new stable after over 2 years away.

Form: 050125/

Bowling Buddy^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 126| C| D

3/1

Progressive type who completed a hat-trick over 2m4f here in October for Olly Murphy. Tongue tied when a very good second of 17 in handicap hurdle back here 25 days ago. A likely player stepped up to 3m.

Form: 211132

Curley Finger^t⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: R Menzies| OR: 124| D

28/1

A three-time 3m hurdles winner last season but he was pulled up in 23f handicap at Uttoxeter in November. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 1113-0P

Hurricane Highway¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122| D

10/1

Winless under Rules over fences and he was pulled up in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) 17 days ago. Reverts to this sphere with lots more needed.

Form: U32P-2P

Off The Jury⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: A King| OR: 122| DWS

11/2

Upped in trip when a very good third of 11 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (24.7f, soft, 11/1) 41 days ago. Since had a wind op and can go well again in his bid for a maiden success.

Form: 243-223

Benassi^p⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: K Brogan| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

13/2

Won twice over hurdles in early 2023 and returned to form in first-time cheekpieces when second at Leicester (20.5f, heavy) in December. The headgear didn't work anywhere near as well at Uttoxeter since, though.

Form: P27-P2P

Sam's Choice^p²²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 118

50/1

Won a Leopardstown handicap (20f) for Gordon Elliott in December, 2022, but yet to fire for current yard. Sliding in the weights but still needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 90/43F-8

Hajey¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 117

50/1

Had breathing surgery before coming in only eighth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Catterick (19.3f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Up in trip with work to do.

Form: 1226-58

Shared^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 114| C

8/1

Course winner who recorded a respectable fifth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, soft) 23 days ago. He's an unreliable sort overall though.

Form: 9P-4345

Forged Well⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 112

6/1

Scored at Kelso in November and looked on the up until coming in sixth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (24.3f, soft) 55 days ago. Worth another chance off a handy-looking mark.

Form: 26-3126

Grand Geste²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 110

9/2

In good form without winning until going freely in cheekpieces when a below-par fourth of 8 in handicap at Sandown (19.8f, heavy) last time. Needs considering with headgear quickly dispensed with.

Form: P02334

Outer Banks^t1⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 106

9/1

Has been brought along steadily, a patiently-ridden sixth of 7 in novice hurdle (20/1) at Uttoxeter (19.9f, heavy) 94 days ago. Tongue tied and goes up in trip for his handicap debut. Possibilities.

Form: 34-856

Forecasts

Bowling Buddy (3/1), Grand Geste (9/2), Off The Jury (11/2), Forged Well (6/1), Benassi (13/2), Shared (8/1), Outer Banks (9/1), Hurricane Highway (10/1), Curley Finger (28/1), Hajey (50/1), Sam's Choice (50/1), Baptism Of Fire (150/1)

BOWLING BUDDY continues on the up and with this first go over 3m likely to suit he is taken to build on an excellent recent second here and quickly resume winning ways. Off The Jury is feared most on the back of a very good Wincanton third, although Forged Well is weighted to go well if back on his A-game. Grand Geste completes the shortlist in this competitive handicap.