13:30 Newbury
Saturday 4 March 2017
All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00
William Hill 'High 5' Supporting Greatwood Seniors' Handicap Hurdle
- 8YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 4f 118y  |  Soft (Heavy in places)  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:30Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 18.62s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Valuable handicap winner at Ascot off this mark in December 2013 and dual winner over fences last season. Not returned in the same form this season over hurdles but signs of a revival when finishing runner-up last time and interesting he's tried in a first-time tongue-tie.
Won very well when last seen at Hereford and runner-up from that race has come out and won a 13-runner handicap by 13L off a mark of 132 since, so every chance this mark is lenient.
Last win came in 2014 and very little to enthuse about in two starts this season after the best part of a year off the track and quite possibly suited by shorter than this trip.
Experienced campaigner who hasn't scored since landing a decent event at Market Rasen on Boxing Day 2015 (13lb lower mark) but his consistency in defeat means the handicapper can't let go. Opposable despite the fact he'll be suited by the conditions.
Tailed off last time but probably needed that run and back down to last winning mark at a course he's won at twice. New combination of headgear needs to spark a return to form but every chance if back to his best.
Winner on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien and got off the mark in this sphere last time when staying on well and 9lb rise for that seems fair. If he proves as good over obstacles as he was on the Flat there will be more to come and yard are in good form so he looks like another for the shortlist.
Very disappointing on last couple of starts and prone to jumping errors. Not won since 2015 and probably past her best now.
Not seen since New Year's Day when he returned from over a year off the track with a respectable effort. However, he would probably prefer faster ground than what he will encounter today and jury's out on whether he can return to his best.
Back-to-back winner at the end of last year and not disgraced last time when sixth of 13 at Wincanton. Ground may have been a bit soft for him and that has to be a concern again today but not one to put a line through off a mark he's proved he can get competitive off.
Ran well after an absence considering he'd been off well over two years when third of eight at Wetherby but needs to back that up now and showed very little in three previous starts under Rules.
Forecasts
Hello George (5/2), Western Climate (5/1), Justification (11/2), Oscarteea (6/1), Willow's Saviour (9/1), Spice Fair (10/1), Royal Guardsman (14/1), Agincourt Reef (20/1), Shanty Town (25/1), Grape Tree Flame (33/1)
WESTERN CLIMATE may be too well-handicapped for the rest of this field considering the form of his latest win has been franked in emphatic fashion by the runner-up since. Justification is another who could potentially be ahead of his mark and the yard are in flying form while Royal Guardsman has some useful course form and ought to give a good account.
- Western Climate
- Justification
- Royal Guardsman
Prize Money
1st: £12,996.002nd: £3,816.003rd: £1,908.004th: £954.00
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