19:00 Ffos Las

Thursday 31 May 2018

All18:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Hugh James Handicap Chase

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 6m 6.50s

Bramble Brook^p,t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127

11/1

Despite winning two of his last five races he isn't one to rely on having beaten a sum total of four rivals in that brace of victories. Handed a whopping 9lb rise for his last win in a weak race and he makes limited appeal.

Form: 31643-1

Dauphine Ereine^t1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 127

6/1

3/3 over fences in France she ran well on her GB comeback at Ludlow after an extended break and wind surgery. Well supported at Chepstow last time she would have gone very close but for making a mess of the last.

Form: 1113/23-

Belmount^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| CD

12/1

His form figures contain plenty of letters as well as numbers and that sums up his overall profile. Ran with an air of respectability last time out at Uttoxeter but likely to need some more help from handicapper; not the best jumper.

Form: 6FPP8-3

Abbreviate^v1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125

14/1

Mistakes that have plagued his chasing career were kept to a minimum last time at Wincanton when he took the runner-up slot. Now guarantee that he will be able to repeat that run and still to win over the larger obstacles.

Form: 36523-2

Super Scorpion^h²⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 124| CD

5/1

Twice a C&D winner (back-to-back and improved efforts) last summer one of those wins coming in this race. His jumping since those wins has been hit-and-miss so has to polish up that part of his game; now back from a break.

Form: 115435-

Halo Moon^p⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 124

8/1

In rude health in the early part of 2016 recording a speedy hat-trick over fences off a mark up to 117. Appears to be working his way back to his best since returning from an absence and ran up to his best last time off this mark; fancied here.

Form: 11/7323-

Walt⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 123

7/1

Yet to win over fences (0/4) but his form over the larger obstacles has matched his hurdles form. Turned in a rare poor effort last time but the type who can bounce back quickly and looks capable off this mark.

Form: 32/433P-

Court King^h,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 122| D

5/1

Two quick-fire wins at Southwell last summer over fences are his best efforts so far and he's held his form fairly well since then Never looks an easy ride though and often runs in snatches/looks lazy; one to treat with caution.

Form: 2433P-3

Vice Et Vertu^b⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Brennan| T: H D Daly| OR: 121| D

14/1

Capable of running to a good level over fences as he showed with wins at Towcester and Bangor. But he can throw in the odd stinker and that was shown last time at Warwick; never went a yard and didn't look keen.

Form: 8/1P13P-

Huff And Puff³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 121

10/1

Returned from a long break to turn in one of his better performances at Hereford in April off a 2lb lower mark and ran a creditable race last time out. Would have benefitted from a stronger gallop last time and a player in this.

Form: 8251/13-

Timeforwest⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| D

8/1

Had been threatening on a few occasions to put together a good chasing performance and she finally did at Warwick in March in quite impressive style. Couldn't back that run up however and needs to bounce back.

Form: 5B8619-

Cobajayisland²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 118| D

20/1

A winner on his last start at Kelso that the result of a sound foundation run the time before. Travelled strongly there and has a good record for this yard in his completed starts; up 5lb but looks sure to run a sound race.

Form: 21/PP3-1

Non-Runners

Wuff¹³³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: T R George J: J J Burke

Amber Gambler³⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Super Scorpion (5/1), Court King (5/1), Dauphine Ereine (6/1), Walt (7/1), Timeforwest (8/1), Halo Moon (8/1), Huff And Puff (10/1), Amber Gambler (10/1), Bramble Brook (11/1), Belmount (12/1), Vice Et Vertu (14/1), Wuff (14/1), Abbreviate (14/1), Cobajayisland (20/1)

A wide open event with plenty of options but HALO MOON has been working his way back to full fitness and he’s taken to lead then home here. If Super Scorpian can get his jumping together he would rate a danger having taken this race last year with Dauphine Ereine another who will be in the mix if she brushes up some slipshod jumping. Cobajayisland has a good record for this yard when he completes and a repeat of his Kelso run will see him go close with Huff And Puff also respected. There are a few others in this that are hard to trust but would look capable of getting involved if they are on their best behaviour like Bramble Brook and Belmount.