16:30 Warwick
Sunday 12 March 2017
All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:0017:30
Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Saving Lives Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m  |  Soft (Heavy in places)  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:30Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 23.10s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Only hurdle victory from 15 attempts came on quicker ground at Wincanton (4lb lower mark) in the autumn and, though he hasn't been disgraced since, his latest effort suggests the assessor may now hold sway.
Relishes cut in the ground over 2m to 2m 4f and, though it's a while since he got his head in front, he shaped well when second behind Beggar's Wishes at Bangor last time. Raised 3lb for that, so no margin for error now.
Only won three of his first 54 starts but has obliged the last twice, albeit in selling company, most recently at Catterick on Wednesday. This is obviously a sterner test but he's clearly in decent heart and has to be respected under a penalty.
Toiled in bumpers and only limited promise shown in three hurdle events so far. Doesn't look particularly well-treated for his handicap debut but a tongue-strap is introduced, so improvement possible.
Glimpses of promise in maiden hurdles in Ireland but didn't kick on in three starts for current yard in the autumn. Returns from a break to make a handicap debut with plenty to prove. Cheekpieces introduced.
Only victory from 19 attempts came on debut for this yard at Newton Abbot in June 2015 but he lost his way afterwards and has failed to shine over fences since returning from a long absence. Potentially well-treated back over hurdles, however.
Winner of a conditional jockeys event at Wetherby last month (6lb lower mark) but failed to justify odds-on favouritism in an amateurs event at Catterick last time. Remains of interest with his latest winning jockey back back up and will relish the easy surface.
No impact at long odds in novice events and has continued along a similar vein since going handicapping, beating only one home at Doncaster last time. Dropped a further 4lb for that but can't be backed with confidence right now.
Once won a bumper for Nicky Henderson way back in 2013 but downhill ever since, with current yard struggling to get him back to any sort of form. Addition of the tongue tie has done little to stop the rot, so cheekpieces now also reached for.
Non-Runners
4
Champion Chase20
Weight: 11-10|Â Â Age: 5
T: K Bailey & M Nicholls  J: M Hamill
NR
Forecasts
Cafe Au Lait (7/2), Hollywood All Star (7/2), Akula (7/2), Miracle Cure (4/1), Champion Chase (8/1), Act Four (9/1), Actiondancer (10/1), Monte Wildhorn (22/1), Lickpenny Larry (25/1), Serveontime (50/1)
Akula has proved a revelation of late and will have his supporters as he bids to complete a hat-trick but his victories came in selling company and he has to be considered vulnerable to an improver, with CHAMPION CHASE fitting the bill. Kim Bailey's charge showed clear signs of improvement in testing conditions at Lingfield last time and looks to be well-treated for his handicap bow. The same could also apply to Lickpenny Larry if the introduction of a tingue-strap has the desired effect whilst Cafe Au Lait is better than he showed under an amateur pilot at Catterick last time and is also respected.
- Champion Chase
- Cafe Au Lait
- Akula
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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