15:10 Newton Abbot

Friday 13 October 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Weatherbys Racing Bank Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 6m 26.10s

Ballyoptic¹⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 157

3/1

Capable of some smart form over hurdles but does appear at times rather luckless over hurdles. This will be only his second start in a handicap over obstacles (won his previous handicap off 148). Needs to brush up his jumping even in this company.

Form: F2F4P5-

Beer Goggles^t¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: R Woollacott| OR: 145

16/1

A real improver last season who has thrived for this yard ever since returning to hurdles winning twice and only being denied his hat-trick by a resurgent opponent. Returns to action off a 10lb higher mark and will do well to take this first time up.

Form: PF311-2

Whataknight^t¹⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 144

4/1

Has never really built or capitalised on his win at Haydock in May of last year when he was a 5l winner over a big field in impressive fashion. Returned to hurdles after a two chasing starts and his recent hurdles form is inconsistent to say the least.

Form: 21026-0

Connetable¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137

7/1

Took a Sandown Listed hurdle on his second start for this yard and took advantage of a weight allowance and his useful hurdles form to win over fences last December. Returned to hurdles now off a falling mark for a yard that do well around here.

Form: 418706-

Sir Mangan¹⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

13/2

Took advantage of some respite afforded him by the handicapper when returning to action off a break to win at Ffos Las and has proved his stamina prior to that. Ran well enough after his last win and now back after another break but may be best fresh.

Form: 2125/1-5

Solatentif^b,t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: B J Cooper| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134

16/1

Not an easy character to win with and often promises more than he actually delivers over both hurdles and fences. Ran with credit last time out over C&D (chance ended by a mistake at the last) and could go close again but is he one to trust?

Form: 455-232

Young Dillon^b1⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 133| D

7/1

Like a few of these he has flirted with a fencing career but is probably better over hurdles and looked as good as ever when taking second at Fontwell last time. Blinkers now tried for the first time but he does remains 7lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 72-0332

Winningtry¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130

6/1

Steps up in class here but did show some progressive form last year at every step of the way ending with a winning handicap debut at Ayr off a 10lb lower mark. Looked to relish the stamina test there and despite the better grade he's given a sound chance here.

Form: 1/32311-

Mighty Leader^p,t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128| CD

16/1

Saw off Solatentif last time out over C&D showing a very game attitude (more resolute than the second). May struggle to confirm the placings at the weights and is 3lb out of the handicap here but attitude will stand him in good stead.

Form: 166151

Forecasts

Ballyoptic (3/1), Whataknight (4/1), Winningtry (6/1), Sir Mangan (13/2), Connetable (7/1), Young Dillon (7/1), Beer Goggles (16/1), Solatentif (16/1), Mighty Leader (16/1)

A couple of these may have bigger targets this year than this handicap hurdle and Ballyoptic certainly takes a drop in class here although he will need to brush up his hurdling technique which looked fairly ragged at times last year. Beer Goggles looked very much on the up last year but he might just need this and has to prove that he can cope with this mark of 145. Winningtry is arguably the better of the Nicholls duo with this trip looking sure to suit although he has to prove he can cope with this grade but should go close. Solatentif is closely matched with Mighty Leader but both may well find this tougher with Whataknight still not quite convincing back over hurdles and SIR MANGAN is given a shot. He often runs well off a break and loves a stamina test like this in a race that he could get the run of.