Timeform Daily: 17-furlong handicap hurdle, 1.40, Hereford

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 21 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Hereford's seven-race card is high on numbers, and, headed by Smoothly Does It, sixteen are set to go to post.

Progressive for former connections, Smoothly Does It has yet to show his best form in a couple of starts since joining the care of Jim Best, but shaped last time as if retaining his ability having been easy to back beforehand. He is well suited by testing conditions.

The inconsistent Dalaram was successful at Stratford on his final start for John Tuck but went with no short-term promise on his first outing for his current yard earlier this month.

Supsonic needed dropping to selling company in order to get his head in front at Leicester last time. He has a history of turning it in when pressured, so how he copes in this stronger company is questionable.

The suspicion is that Jardin de Vienne is at his best away from soft or heavy ground, so any rain would raise some doubt, but, beyond that, he is of more interest than most on the back of a good effort at Lingfield last time.

Glinton finished a place behind Jardin de Vienne last time having been given plenty of rope at the head of affairs, and it isn't easy to see the tables being turned.

Sold for £2,200 out of the yard of Evan Williams since last seen in February, Demi Beau was out of sorts in 2007/8, typically let down by his jumping and/or attitude, and is one to steer clear of.

Night Cru looks capable of a deal better now switched to handicaps, not seen to best effect in a trio of novices thus far, and it would be no surprise to see more positive tactics adopted.

Not seen for fourteen months since going wrong at Bangor, Hero Again hails from a yard without a winner in over seven years and makes little appeal on his return to hurdles.

Tender Falcon has shown ability in finishing fourth in both starts to date, though shaped last time as if a longer trip could see him in a better light, so it remains to be seen how he copes here on his handicap debut.

Another who may well need further in due course is Captain Tidds. He's been off since falling at Exeter in April and comes from a stable that are rather struggling for winners.

Insignia took advantage of a straightforward task when winning at seller at Stratford in October but was let down by his attitude next time and how he fares here depends on to what extent he fancies it.

Something of an unknown quantity, Tifoso won a couple of juvenile hurdles in the French Provinces earlier this year before falling on his handicap debut. He's joined an excellent trainer and is worthy of utmost respect.

After seeming to show some sort of ability in a novice at Taunton on his hurdling debut this time last year, Webbswood Lad has gone the wrong way and the switch to handicaps seems unlikely to bring about a revival in his fortunes.

Monsieur is an habitual front-runner who has to put a poor effort at Plumpton last time behind him, that his first start for his current handler.

Darizan opened his account at the fourth time of asking over hurdles when winning a course-and-distance maiden in February. Hails from a yard who are well capable of getting their runners fully tuned up first time up and looks very much of interest.

It's not easy to make much of a case for Temple Place, who's been out of sorts since winning at Bangor in May, including on both starts for current connections, though market support would be noteworthy.