15:20 Newton Abbot

Friday 6 July 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:3017:05

Betfair Thank You Racing Staff Selling Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 14.90s

Beau Phil^h,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 100| CD

7/1

Just the one win in 15 starts but that did come over C&D when a narrow winner back in 2016. Not a bad effort in the context of this race at Ffos Las last time and a repeat of that would take him close.

Form: 41/PP-03

Scenic Star^t⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: M B Shears| OR: 94| D

50/1

Capable enough at this sort of level when the mood takes him, better known as a low-grade chaser (for Gavin Cromwell) and has shown little in two starts for new yard. Hard to make much of a case for him at present.

Form: 3444P-P

Gi Jayne^h,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 94

13/2

Winner at Southwell (well backed) in May, but lacked any sort of finish at Uttoxeter last time when she should have done better. Clearly not one to trust but capable under conditions that should suit if she can bounce back.

Form: PP9P-10

Auldthunder^p1⁷²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: R Chapman| OR: 90

50/1

Better grade than this at his peak but it's a long time since we've seen that, and he makes his debut for a new yard tonight. Stays well, and might not find this enough of a test even if new trainer has coaxed him back to form.

Form: 652658-

Clearly Capable^p,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: B Barr| OR: 86| CD

7/1

Winner here last year (on quick ground) and was in the process of running his best race since then when coming to grief at the last at Worcester latest. Yard going okay and looks one of those more likely to figure in the finish.

Form: 138-97F

Ice Konig^t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Le Clerc⁽³⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 86| CD

6/1

Just the three wins in 67 starts tells you he's no win machine, but he does come here off the back of a couple of reasonable efforts. Fourth in this last year from 11lb higher and with the services of Bryony Frost on board, could go okay.

Form: 4000-34

The Kid^t⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: K Bishop| OR: 86

8/1

Winner off this mark last September and although not much to recommend since, did shape a bit better last time out and worth a try at this trip. Yard can land the odd gamble so worth a look in the market if nothing else.

Form: 13306-5

Scorpion Star⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: J McGrath| T: M Hill| OR: 84

9/1

Three times a winner in point-to-points but yet to fire under Rules and in truth, has been disappointing. Cheekpieces taken off and this trip may suit, looks better handicapped as well now so not totally written off.

Form: P598P-9

Millen Dollar Man^b³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss H Welch⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 83

20/1

Chase winner at Fakenham in May (took advantage of leaders going off too quickly) but threw the towel in a bit too quickly for comfort back there last time (eventually unseated). Capable but not one for maximum faith.

Form: 5622-1U

Ladies Dancing¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-8| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 82| C

9/1

Well into the veteran stage now, record of 4 wins in 68 starts tells you plenty about his chances and although he's a regular in these low-grade events, hard to see why he should do any better than he has been doing lately today.

Form: 3398-49

Taste The Wine^p¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 80| CD

6/1

Winner of this last year (from a 5lb higher mark) and generally consistent, if hard to win with. Decent effort in a slightly better race than this at Stratford last time and looks more likely to run his race than plenty here.

Form: 1F9-794

Definite Ridge^v⁴³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 78

33/1

Has got his head in front a couple of times and conditions here no issue, not seen out since April 2017 but handicapper has given him a chance if fit and given yard can land gambles, has to be given a look in the market if nothing else.

Form: 154033/

La Madrina^v1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Mrs K Stephens| OR: 68

40/1

Yet to hit the frame in twelve starts so far and although she's already coming down the handicap, is hard to make much of a case for at present.

Form: 5P959-P

Aaryam^p,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 68

14/1

Poor at Stratford last time but previous effort at Ffos Las a bit better than it looks, as his saddle slipped when he was still in contention. Overall profile unconvincing but yard are not fools and is worth a look for any market support.

Form: PP/8-080

Petrify^p,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: James Bowen| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 66

12/1

Rarely wins (just 3 in 54 starts) but does at least try a bit and often finishes within shouting distance of the front. Conditions fine but there are surely more likely winners.

Form: 8/645-63

Spanish Optimist^b1⁶²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: Miss Sarah Robinson| OR: 44

100/1

No win on his dancecard since 2014 and after a string of poor efforts last year and one this, is hard to make any sort of case for.

Form: P/PP85-P

Non-Runners

Rose Tree⁷

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: J W Mullins J: S Bowen

Forecasts

Rose Tree (9/2), Taste The Wine (6/1), Ice Konig (6/1), Gi Jayne (13/2), Clearly Capable (7/1), Beau Phil (7/1), The Kid (8/1), Scorpion Star (9/1), Ladies Dancing (9/1), Petrify (12/1), Aaryam (14/1), Millen Dollar Man (20/1), Definite Ridge (33/1), La Madrina (40/1), Scenic Star (50/1), Auldthunder (50/1), Spanish Optimist (100/1)

As trappy a selling hurdle as you could wish to find, and cases can be made for plenty. The market will be as good a guide as any, particularly to the chances of the likes of Aaryam, Definite Ridge and The Kid but preference at this stage is for ROSE TREE, who may yet find a bit of improvement for a change of yard and ran as if there was more to come last time. Top weight Beau Phil and Taste The Wine are a bit more reliable than most and should go well. Scorpion Star has plenty of risk with him but he could be capable of bouncing back too.