15:05 Newbury

Friday 23 March 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1016:45

Doom Bar Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 6m 18.0s

Late Shipment^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 117

16/1

His two wins at around this time last year came off much lower marks and although he's not been disgraced of late he has looked a little lack-lustre. Produced a laboured effort last time out and remains 7lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 12-74F5

Puppet Warrior²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 115

16/1

Having shown some fair form in bumpers (placed on all starts) he's not really made any strides forward over hurdles despite running with credit. Now stepped right up in trip to 3m on his handicap debut he may show more although his mark is only fair.

Form: 3-28223

Hit The Highway^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 115| BF| D

12/1

Slipped down in the weights now but still yet to win a handicap and it looked as though the change in stable hadn't worked last time out. He raced lazily there and looked far from interested and a leap of faith is required to support him now.

Form: 4U75P0

Darius Des Bois⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N J Henderson| OR: 115WS

7/2

Showed up well on his hurdling debut in what looked to be a tough start to life under Rules but he's failed to match that in two subsequent starts. May need better ground to be seen at his best; of interest on handicap debut coming from a top yard.

Form: F5-577

Christmas In April^h⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 113

10/3

Has improved for the switch to handicaps although he looks far from an easy ride and may need more severe headgear than the hood he wears. Despite the quirks he ran well when 4th at Ascot last time and runs off the same mark now; may do better still.

Form: 1435-34

Champagne Chaser⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 112

11/1

Chasing hasn't proved to be his discipline so far but he caught the eye back over hurdles last time when given a confidence boosting run/ride. Given plenty to do and considerately handled he stays this trip and could play a part off this mark.

Form: 4-13PU4

Boher Lad¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 105| D

33/1

Shapes as though he retains his ability having had two runs now back from a break (made running both times). Stays this trip and more but will find it hard to dominate this field and looks a little high in the handicap still.

Form: F13-454

Tudors Treasure^p1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Stephens| OR: 105

12/1

Came back to life last time out returned to the scene of his last win at Ffos Las over 2m4f in testing conditions. Went down to a less exposed sort on that occasion and meets a couple of similar types here; up 3lb for that last run (tough task).

Form: 316-7P2

Cheque En Blanc³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 102| D

12/1

Had twice responded well to pressure when winning back-to-back handicaps relishing the test of stamina each time. Failed to complete the hat-trick off a 3lb lower mark last time (went in snatches) and this looks a tougher task slightly up in grade.

Form: 633113

Burgess Dream¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: Miss A M Newton-Smith| OR: 92| D

25/1

Usually seen to best effect at Lingfield and has run well there the last three times (once over fences). Likely to run with credit but remains 7lb above his last wining mark and comes up against some improving types here.

Form: 5U7333

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 20p in the pound

Non-Runners

Fizzlestix⁶

Weight: 10-11| Age: 6

T: C Gordon J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Christmas In April (10/3), Darius Des Bois (7/2), Fizzlestix (8/1), Champagne Chaser (11/1), Cheque En Blanc (12/1), Hit The Highway (12/1), Tudors Treasure (12/1), Puppet Warrior (16/1), Late Shipment (16/1), Burgess Dream (25/1), Boher Lad (33/1)

An interesting handicap with Nicky Henderson adding to the puzzle by saddling two runners the handicap debutante Darius Des Bois who may show more stepping into this sphere especially on the back of some wind surgery and the seemingly talented but quirky Christmas In April. Both of those have a chance but CHAMPAGNE CHASER who ran with a great deal of promise last time is preferred back over hurdles with Richard Johnson taking the ride. Tudors Treasure should run a sound race although the handicapper has set him a tough task here while Fizzlestix who escapes a penalty and has the considerable assistance of James Bowen is one to keep an eye on from the two runners that Chris Gordon saddles.