15:05 Newbury
Friday 24 March 2017
All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:45
Smith & Williamson Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  3m 52y  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:06Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 6m 0.80s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Inconsistent performer who fell at the first when last seen in November in his bid to win back-to-back races. Arrives here on a career high mark and he's usually kept to good/good to firm ground so any more rain would be a concern. Also possible he will need this after an absence.
Interrupted career to date but managed to string a couple of performances together this year and showed he retains ability with a solid comeback run followed by a good win last time out (front two clear of the remainder) both at Southwell. Could be more to come and 7lb rise looks fair for his latest effort.
Dual-purpose performer who is still a maiden over hurdles but has managed to finish second on three occasions. Tailed off last time though and not shown enough in three hurdles starts this season to suggest he's ready to win in this sphere.
Found the step up in class beyond him last time but only 4lb higher than his boxing day win and will find this easier no doubt. Likely to want plenty more rain to be seen to best effect though.
Won here in January when outsider of the field and second and third from that race have come out and won again since so that form has a solid look to it. She's still unexposed compared to many of these and faster ground may not have suited last time. Any more rain would be a bonus.
Capitalised on a lenient looking handicap mark last time out, however, this looks a stronger race and following up under a penalty may not be entirely straightforward. Versatile conditions wise and trainer in flying form but his gelding needs to prove he can put back-to-back performances together.
Won back-to-back handicaps for Micky Hammond at Hexham and Sedgefield last March, showing how well he stays in the process, but not so good for current yard, failing to complete in any of his last three chase starts. Reverts to hurdles today and looks a risky proposition.
Placed on four starts this season prior to scoring at Taunton last time out. Probably not the best handicapped horse in the race with an 8lb rise to deal with and softer ground is a slight concern but more likely to give his running than plenty in here and each-way claims once again.
Impressive debut success for this yard came at this course just over a year ago but looked regressive since. Hard to fancy in current form but he's versatile ground wise and has won over further than this so he'd be thereabouts if he bounced back off a lenient looking handicap mark.
Handicap mark falling at a rate of knots (has won off more than two stone higher) but with good reason having not placed on his last 11 starts and on a losing run stretching back to 2014. Pulled-up last time at Doncaster and while the return to further will suit, he's hard to fancy in current form.
Still a maiden after seven starts and can make jumping errors but some promise on sole start for this yard last time. Step up in trip an unknown and jockey not had a winner in the last 12 months but any market support would be interesting.
Still a maiden but shown promise in a couple of his starts this season, particularly when tackling soft ground. Trainer in flying form having had seven winners from his last 18 runners and stepping this gelding up in trip could well bring out the improvement necessary for him to get his head in front for the first time in his career.
Forecasts
Malapie (4/1), Baron Du Plessis (9/2), Ballyheigue Bay (11/2), Scooby (7/1), Midnight Glory (8/1), Beer Goggles (10/1), Mighty Leader (10/1), Cadeau George (14/1), Norman The Red (25/1), First Fandango (33/1), Bold Runner (33/1), Howaboutnever (40/1)
If conditions come up soft then MIDNIGHT GLORY makes most appeal with the Champion Jockey taking the ride. The form of the mare's win at this course two starts back has been boosted by the placed horses both winning since and the faster ground may not have suited at Taunton last time. Malapie has clearly had his issues and won't have been the easiest train over the last few years but now he's got his career back on track, he's open to improvement. Scooby is a consistent type who 8lb rise leaves him needing to find more while Baron Du Plessis is still a maiden but could well improve for the step up in trip and his yard's in flying form.
- Midnight Glory
- Malapie
- Baron Du Plessis
Prize Money
1st: £4,549.002nd: £1,336.003rd: £668.004th: £334.00
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