16:05 Catterick

Friday 31 January 2025

All13:0513:3514:0514:3515:0515:3516:05

Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 3m 54.8s

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Selected odds by:

Kazar Forez¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 99

22/1

Fair maiden hurdler in France, going close in Auteuil handicap on final start there in June. Never figured on considerate return from 7 months off for new yard when ninth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Newcastle (16.9f) 2 weeks ago and this promises to reveal more.

Form: 6P-429

Balcomie Breeze⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: G Boanas| OR: 97WS

5/2

Lightly raced 7-y-o who was placed in bumpers. Down the field in novice/maiden hurdles but caught the eye with his move from the rear when sixth of 13 on handicap bow at Musselburgh (19.8f) in December. Appeals as the type to do better still. Had wind op.

Form: 28/P406

Lahire^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 95

9/4

Did well to last as long as he did when fourth under an aggressive ride at Wetherby (2m) on penultimate start. First past post (subsequently demoted for causing interference) at Market Rasen (16.6f) 2 weeks ago and he's of interest provided he keeps the errors at bay.

Form: 5-64F4D

Little Pi³⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: C J Todd| T: S Allwood| OR: 93| D

16/1

Improved initially from a low base in handicaps last winter, registering back-to-back victories at Ludlow/Wincanton. Final 2 efforts proved to be disappointing for Matt Sheppard and he needs to hit the ground running on stable debut/following 11 months off.

Form: 84110P-

Kellie's Dream²³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn| T: D Bourke| OR: 89| D

12/1

Dual hurdles winner when campaigned in Ireland (at up to 18f) and best effort for present yard when fourth at Perth (16.2f) in April. Ran below that level in 2 starts thereafter during the summer and others appeal more returning from 7 months off.

Form: 4474-57

Kuma Beach^p1⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 80

50/1

Little form in a bumper/first 3 starts over hurdles and fared no better switched to a handicap/after 6 months off when pulled up at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) 46 days ago. Has enough to prove back down in trip with cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 7-867P

Admiral Fitz^p1,t1⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 75

7/2

Lightly-raced 7-y-o who showed more than previously under Rules when fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Ludlow (15.7f, soft) in November, a late error costing him the chance of making the frame. Possible he could yet have more to offer. Cheekpieces/tongue tie on.

Form: 2/499-04

Inoue^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: Paul Robson| OR: 66

13/2

Down the field both starts in bumpers and has fared little better over hurdles, his effort proving short-lived when eighth of 12 in a C&D handicap 9 days ago. Likely to find a few too good again.

Form: UP66B8

Forecasts

Lahire (9/4), Balcomie Breeze (5/2), Admiral Fitz (7/2), Inoue (13/2), Kellie's Dream (12/1), Little Pi (16/1), Kazar Forez (22/1), Kuma Beach (50/1)

LAHIRE confirmed the promise of his previous effort only to lose the race in the stewards' room having hampered the runner-up at Market Rasen 2 weeks ago. Recent displays underline he's capable of defying this sort of mark and he makes the most appeal. Admiral Fitz and Balcomie Breeze are less exposed than most and head the dangers. Market confidence behind top weight Kazar Forez would also look significant.