14:10 Warwick
Tuesday 16 May 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10
188 First Goals Wins At 188Bet Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m | Good | 16 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 3m 47.40s
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Took advantage of a drop in the weights to win at Stratford last time out in a mares handicap hurdle by 13L having shown promise on her previous start. Won with plenty in hand and even with a penalty is likely to take some stopping here.
His form so far has looked relatively modest but he looked as though he may well be able to make more impact after his run at Kempton (2m5f) last time out. The run is hard to pin down and he steps back in trip now but is still unexposed and of interest here.
Form over hurdles in novice company hasn't been anything to shout about so far and he comes back from a long break to make his handicap debut. Could well do better in handicaps but has raced freely in the past and needs to settle better.
Hard to fault a mare who has won two of her last four races although she did take an age to get off the mark over hurdles in a weak affair. Handicapper hasn't been hard on her and she was only racing off a 1lb higher mark when winning last time out (win with a bit in hand) but has a 7lb higher mark to cope with here.
Returned to form last time out when finishing runner-up at Sandown in a race that he was a regular in. That run was off a career low mark and he's 4lb higher now and facing some improving types.
One of two runners from the yard in this but although his mark is falling he's not shown much sign of taking advantage. Jumping has also looked a worry of late and others have a better chance here.
Back from a break and down in the weights he ended a long losing run last time out when winning at Taunton without his usual headgear. Now off a 7lb higher mark he may well be able to make his presence felt again.
Initial handicap mark looked a stiff one and despite the ease in the weights he's shown little of late and finished tailed off last time out.
Only retains modest ability these days and now returns from a break under the care of a new trainer although it would be a surprise if he could trouble some of these.
Has been in very consistent form when last seen over fences although he often promises more than he actually delivers. Much the same story in his hurdles runs and not one to trust in the long run over hurdles or fences given his weak finishing nature.
Can look rather difficult in his races but may well have needed his two runs so far this year and could step forward a little again here. Has a fair bit of work to do with Frozen Over who beat him a fair way at Taunton last time out.
The switch to handicaps saw him record some improved form when he took a Taunton handicap albeit one of a selling variety. Not seen to best effect next time out (first run for this yard) when fifth behind Frozen Over (given plenty to do) and could well close the gap on him this time around given a clearer run.
Not one that you could totally trust and form over hurdles and fences has been below par of late. Has often flattered only to deceive and even off this lowly mark still has questions to answer.
The losing run continues to build and not won a race since 2013 with his jumping still not that fluent.
Her one previous run in a handicap (first-time blinkers) only underlined that she had been handed a stiff looking mark. All of that came back in 2013 and will surely need this on a return from a significant absence.
Gave some hope that he might be capable of better when running well in a heavy ground handicap hurdle at Lingfield. Not built on that run though and is 3lb out of the handicap here.
Forecasts
Bitter Virtue (4/1), Frozen Over (6/1), Paloma's Prince (7/1), Gask Ridge (7/1), Stepover (7/1), Cry Fury (8/1), Ujagar (8/1), Steel City (16/1), Fidelity (20/1), Orthodox Lad (22/1), Kastani Beach (25/1), Yourholidayisover (25/1), Seeanythingyoulike (33/1), Oh Dear Oh Dear (50/1), Cruise In Style (50/1), Shrubland (66/1)
If BITTER VIRTUE arrives here in the same form as when winning at Stratford she will be very hard to beat with just a 7lb penalty for that easy success. Gask Ridge is one of the more interesting improvers in the race while Ujagar may well be better than his last run and could reverse the form with Frozen Over.
- Bitter Virtue
- Gask Ridge
- Ujagar
Prize Money
1st: £3,574.002nd: £1,049.003rd: £525.004th: £262.00
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