13:50 Newbury

Saturday 2 December 2017

All12:1012:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 5m 6.45s

Court Minstrel⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 149

7/1

Winning the race for the second time when successful in a Grade 3 over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow (good-to-soft) last time out. Races off a 7lb higher mark today.

Form: 0-42F41

Old Guard¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| C

6/1

Victorious over 2m at Kempton (good) in a Listed contest in October and followed that up by finishing a good third in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham (soft) last time out. Interesting runner today.

Form: 747-713

Air Horse One²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 145

7/2

Finished fourth in a valuable Listed handicap over an extended 1m7f at Ascot (good) last time out. Races off a 4lb higher mark today and has won over an extended 2m3f in the past.

Form: 11140-4

Coeur de Lion²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Kevin Dowling⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A King| OR: 142

8/1

Promising juvenile hurdler last year and run well on the Flat since including when finishing runner-up in the Cesarewitch in September. Well held on soft ground at Wincanton on his return to hurdles last month.

Form: 12217-5

Remiluc^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 135| C

14/1

Winner over an extended 2m here in March and put in his best effort since when finishing third over an extended 2m1f at Fontwell (good-to-soft) last month. Interesting to see how he fares today.

Form: 108-4U3

Maestro Royal¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| C

10/1

Victorious over an extended 2m on good-to-soft ground here in March but held in two subsequent starts including when fourth of seven over 2m5f at Kempton (good) on last months seasonal debut.

Form: 21717-4

Jaleo²⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr Alex Ferguson⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 134

20/1

Failed to complete on two of his three starts since winning over an extended 2m3f at Lingfield (good-to-soft) on debut for this yard 12 months ago. Making his seasonal debut with usual amateur rider in the saddle once more.

Form: 10/1F3F-

Doesyourdogbite⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| D

25/1

Out of form in five runs in 2017 and handicap mark is steadily falling as a result. Rated 2lb lower than for his latest success and market support would be interesting today.

Form: 16000-0

Master Dancer^p³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 129| D

5/1

Bidding to complete a hat-trick following wins at Chepstow on the Flat and an impressive victory in a 21 runner contest at Cheltenham (2m5f, good) last time out. Has to defy a 12lb rise in the weights.

Form: 6/120-1

Jabulani¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127

11/2

Winning for the first time over hurdles when victorious over an extended 2m3f at Lingfield (soft) last time out. Had previously finished third at Lingfield (good) and he is one to note on his first outing in handicap company.

Form: 16-231

Dino Velvet⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: A King| OR: 123

16/1

Useful form since winning over 2m at Sandown (good-to-soft) 12 months ago. Finished fifth in a 2m handicap hurdle at Chepstow (good-to-soft) last time out and races off a 2lb lower mark today.

Form: 14228-5

Vicenzo Mio^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: C Gordon| OR: 123

50/1

Placed over hurdles and fences for Paul Nicholls last season but finished well beaten on stable and seasonal debut over 2m4f at Sandown (good-to-soft) last time out. More needed today.

Form: 23/833-8

Forecasts

Air Horse One (7/2), Master Dancer (5/1), Jabulani (11/2), Old Guard (6/1), Court Minstrel (7/1), Coeur de Lion (8/1), Maestro Royal (10/1), Remiluc (14/1), Dino Velvet (16/1), Jaleo (20/1), Doesyourdogbite (25/1), Vicenzo Mio (50/1)

This step up in trip should suit AIR HORSE ONE and he is taken to claim this competitive handicap hurdle. The selection ran well to finish fourth in a valuable contest last time out and is taken to get the better of handicap debutant Jabulani who is an unexposed youngster who can finish second on this occasion while Old Guard, a good third at Cheltenham last time out can finish third.