14:25 Warwick

Saturday 13 January 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 11.30s

Prime Venture⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 142

8/1

Likes soft ground, and took advantage of a relatively easy opportunity to score at Ffos Las last time, coming clear. Trip won't be an issue but handicapper has reacted to that win with a 12lb rise, which obviously demands more here.

Form: 2342-21

Beeves²²³

Age: 19| Weight: 11-12| J: Unknown| T: J Candlish| C| D

Form: 85511-1

Top Ville Ben¹⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 11-12| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby

Form: F4/6321

No Hassle Hoff⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 141

4/1

Has been pretty consistent at this sort of trip for the last year now, nothing wrong with his fourth to the Festival-bound Sam Spinner at Haydock last time but this handicap mark leaves little room for error, and he'll need to be on top form.

Form: 3224-14

The Organist⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N P Madden| T: O Sherwood| OR: 139

8/1

Was starting to look a little disappointing but bounced right back to form at Newbury, picking the pocket of Forza Milan late on. 6lb rise demands more but unexposed at staying trips, so could have a bit more in the locker.

Form: 3674-71

Sykes²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 139| D

12/1

In really good form, followed up Ffos Las win by outrunning his 33/1 odds in a competitive event at Cheltenham last time. Up in the weights again but trip and likely soft ground no issue, and more likely to run his race than a few.

Form: F45-412

Tobefair^p⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: T E Whelan| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 138| C

16/1

One of the most improved horses of last year, rattling off the wins and went off well fancied in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival. Two runs this season rather suggest the handicapper has him now, though, and on that, others preferred.

Form: 1110-49

Steely Addition⁶⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 11-7| J: Unknown| T: P Hobbs & J White

Form: 334-F11

Kris Spin⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 135| CD

9/1

Loves heavy ground, so any more rain a plus, kept on gamely to score at Ayr in November and ran close to that level latest at Uttoxeter. Had a small break and with trip ideal, looks sure to play a part.

Form: 35F-512

Fly Camp²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

11/1

Went from the front to win two handicaps at Uttoxeter and Exeter last season, but they were at trips much shorter than today, and he looked badly in need of the run when well beaten on reappearance last month. Lot to prove at present.

Form: 2121P-0

Oh Land Abloom⁵¹

Age: 16| Weight: 11-3| J: Unknown| T: N B King| D

Form: 322-014

Templeross⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

12/1

Hard to read, as he looks like staying trips should be his thing, but disappointing when trying them to date. Never went a yard at Haydock last time and clearly risky, but suspicion is there's better to come.

Form: 023-45P

Join The Clan¹⁹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129| C| D

33/1

Winner of this back in 2015, best days clearly behind him now but still capable when the mood takes him. Not seen out since the summer though, and with no great record fresh, may be best watched today.

Form: 9F1-440

Black Ivory³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 126

5/1

Improving, good second at Aintree in a competitive race first time up this season and then even better when winning back there over a trip too short last time, the heavy ground helping. More to come and handicapper hasn't got him yet.

Form: 1124-21

Cobolobo⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126

25/1

Giant of a horse for whom fences will be the making of, but doing nicely over hurdles and a game winner on reappearance at Uttoxeter this year. Race may have come too soon after that at Newbury when blowing out, and may bounce back.

Form: 5412-18

Early Retirement⁵⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 10-6| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| BF

Form: 0281-12

Malapie²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 121

7/1

Given a peach of a ride by Sean Bowen to win at Uttoxeter last time, coming late to steal the prize and 5lb rise for that not harsh. Has burst blood vessels in the past, which is a worry, but no weight here and best yet to come from him.

Form: 21P-441

Present Times³⁵

Age: 15| Weight: 10-1| J: Unknown| T: Evan Williams| BF

Form: 5211-12

Forecasts

No Hassle Hoff (4/1), Black Ivory (5/1), Malapie (7/1), Prime Venture (8/1), The Organist (8/1), Kris Spin (9/1), Fly Camp (11/1), Sykes (12/1), Templeross (12/1), Tobefair (16/1), Cobolobo (25/1), Join The Clan (33/1)

This looks a wide open contest, and there's plenty that a case can be made for. BLACK IVORY looks one that's well in front of the handicapper and will need to win this if he's to get in the weights for the final in March, so you can guarantee connections will be all out to win it. Malapie was the beneficiary of a great ride from Sean Bowen last time (let the leaders go early, pinched the prize late) and looks to have more to offer. Kris Spin should have conditions to his liking and can challenge for places, along with Sykes and Cobolobo. Templeross might be worth a second look at a big price too.