14:10 Towcester
Wednesday 15 February 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40
Abthorpe Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 3f 34y  |  Soft (Heavy in places)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 3.3s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
A 7lb penalty might not be enough to not be enough to prevent this in-form gelding landing a quick hattrick. More of a question is the very testing ground, but having shown he stays much further when winning last time week at Huntingdon he may still prevail.
First time blinkers went horribly wrong at Leicester last month but having hit form with 2 wins this time last year, and now having his favoured deep ground, this quirky character cannot be lightly dismissed switching back to timber.
Consistent if one paced sort who has run respectably on his last three starts. Still a maiden though so a place might be the best he can hope for.
Winning point to point but has shown very little so far under rules. Despite a tumbling handicap mark, he would need to improve out of all recognition to score.
Winless for last three years but not disgraced on occasions last season. Should be better for his recent return run, and in receipt of plenty of weight from Bandon Roc could make a race of it.
Hampered 3 out when well beaten at Fontwell last month having previously been in front when coming down 4 out in a Plumpton novice chase. Place prospects at best if her run of bad luck is over now.
Good yard has gone off the boil somewhat in recent weeks. Connections reach for first time visor in hope of bringing about a change of fortune for this disappointing sort who has dropped 15lb since this time last year. Champion jockey on board a big plus though.
650,000 guineas yearling sold for modest amount after showing only moderate form in two starts on the Flat. Shown nothing in 8 starts over hurdles and impossible to recommend.
Forecasts
Bandon Roc (8/13), Flobury (5/1), Benability (7/1), Admiral Blake (8/1), Some Finish (12/1), Goodnight Charlie (25/1), Bennys Girl (25/1), Diamond Reflection (25/1)
BANDON ROC is the most obvious choice but will be skinny odds to complete his hattrick under his 7lb penalty on what could be very testing ground. He should score though if recovered from his exertions last week. If there is going to be a surprise it may come from Admiral Blake who shaped with a little promise on his belated seasonal return and Sam Twiston-Davies saw enough then (it would seem) to take the mount once again. Back in a visor having seemingly resented the first-time blinkers on his most recent start, Some Finish is not without hope if on a going day, while Bennys Girl could do best of the rest.
1. Bandon Roc
2. Admiral Blake
3. Some Finish
Prize Money
1st: ÂŁ3,899.002nd: ÂŁ1,145.003rd: ÂŁ572.004th: ÂŁ286.00
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