13:30 Newton Abbot

Monday 23 April 2018

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

20 Free Bets At totesport.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 59.45s

Iniesta^v³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Blake| OR: 100

5/1

Travelled smoothly enough into contention last month at Chepstow (2m3½f, soft) but didn't appear to get home, overall still has a question mark over stamina for this trip.

Form: 713223

Captain George³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: M Blake| OR: 97

9/1

Fit from recent outings on the AW, yet to score in seven attempts over hurdles and stamina over this trip a potential concern, especially on soft going. Needs to find a bit extra.

Form: 322645

The Major^h²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: M G Nolan| T: K Woollacott| OR: 96

7/1

Not a whole lot to get excited by in hurdling career to date, but most recent effort at Taunton (2m3f, soft) when a remote fourth of eight was an improved showing.

Form: R0574

Matts Legacy¹¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 94

25/1

Had fallen to a workable mark before he was given a break but has refused to race the last twice. Headgear (hood) used on the first occasion was removed last time but he still declined to race; best left alone here.

Form: 9-603RR

Scorpion Star^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: J McGrath| T: M Hill| OR: 93

16/1

Winning point-to-pointer who was placed in a Sedgefield hunter chase almost a year ago. Tends to avoid encountering ground as soft as this and uninspiring early this month at Taunton on return from a layoff.

Form: 5-2P598

Itsaboutime⁶⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 93

14/1

Some glimpses of form in the 2015-16 season. Chances would not be obvious even of the pick of that form and a 23-month absence gives him even more to find.

Form: 53039/5-

Flighty Filia¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Le Clerc⁽³⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 92

40/1

Her hurdles form so far hasn't matched up to what she has shown on the Flat although that's a reflection of how stiff her handicap mark was. Pulled up here in October when last spotted, 7lb lower now and worth a market check.

Form: 206-84P

Goldslinger¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 92

9/4

Four-time winner on the flat who has shown little since switching to current yard. Mark is slipping as a result and better effort last time at Fontwell. Should take advantage at some point soon.

Form: 8/55-P53

Geni Johnson⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss H Welch⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 91

50/1

Yet to show anything that would give encouragement in two runs for this yard but now makes her handicap debut. Would have had little chance in most/all novice events and not unknown for this yard to have a tilt at the ring with one like this.

Form: 9870U9

Ruby Russet^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 90

16/1

Pulled up on her last three starts so is clearly a lesser light in her leading stable. Still early days for her, though, and she is worth a check in the betting market.

Form: P34-PPP

Pension Madness¹⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 83

5/1

Some promise shown last year, including here in September over a shorter trip. Poor when last spotted at Ludlow (2m, good) in November and improvement called for on return.

Form: 379328

La Madrina^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs K Stephens| OR: 71

20/1

Yet to show genuine signs of ability, though did shape better at Taunton (2m½f, heavy) on first start after undergoing wind surgery. Perhaps more to come.

Form: 8-P5P95

Forecasts

Goldslinger (9/4), Iniesta (5/1), Pension Madness (5/1), The Major (7/1), Captain George (9/1), Itsaboutime (14/1), Ruby Russet (16/1), Scorpion Star (16/1), La Madrina (20/1), Matts Legacy (25/1), Flighty Filia (40/1), Geni Johnson (50/1)

FLIGHTY FILIA was quite useful on the Flat and found herself being heavily tasked last year from a stiff opening handicap mark going hurdling. She did at least shape with promise on a visit here last June and, now rated 5lb lower, could be worth a chance on this return to action under Bryony Frost. Iniesta has to prove he wants this trip but could be capable while Goldslinger and La Madrina are also notables.