15:55 Newton Abbot

Friday 6 July 2018

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

betfairracingstaffweek At racingwelfare Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 25.6s

Thahab Ifraj²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 112| D

14/1

Has been kept busy on the Flat this year, not really in any great form but was a winner at Stratford when last seen over hurdles. Conditions fine but rather relying on a change of scenery to get him back to form here.

Form: 5/421-

Treasure The Ridge^b,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Kieron Edgar| T: M Hill| OR: 110| CWS

8/1

Course winner here last July, and on a fair mark based on his close sixth over slightly shorter here in May. Wind surgery since last being seen may help, and recent rain at the track a plus, so could bounce back and play a part.

Form: 21500-6

Present Destiny³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 109

9/2

Bit disappointing last time out but possible trip was to blame, as he didn't seem to get home over further, and previous close third at Fontwell a better indicator of current form. Open to improvement and not out of this.

Form: F45P-35

Nabhan^p,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 109| BF

4/1

Finds getting his head in front hard but does usually run his race here, and he still held every chance when unseating here last time out. Once more for placepots than this win, then, but still has a shot at the top prize.

Form: 568-72U

Barkis²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Doyle⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 108

8/1

Starting to look very moderate despite being in a top yard, weakened out of it worryingly quickly at Southwell last time, even allowing for the fact he may have needed the run. Hard to make a solid case for.

Form: 2F7/28-0

Tamarillo Grove^t³²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 103| C

11/4

Versatile tactics-wise, can win from front or held up and came good over slightly shorter here last time out (Nabhan in second). Long while since he followed up a win with another but clearly in good heart and not ruled out.

Form: 5007-31

Billy My Boy^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: C J Down| OR: 102| C

4/1

Often gives it a go from the front and occasionally holds on, fourth to Tamarillo Grove here in June gives him an each-way shout but didn't run to that level last time, and now needs to bounce back.

Form: 8P7-348

Montycristo²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: P Henderson| OR: 102

25/1

His fourth to Lisp at Plumpton last December would make him look interesting off this sort of mark but that run looks something of a fluke among a sea of moderate efforts since. Hard to rule out totally, though, although softer ground might help.

Form: 4U7-

Non-Runners

Kristjano²²²

Weight: 10-8| Age: 6

T: J D Frost J: Alexander Thorne

Forecasts

Tamarillo Grove (11/4), Nabhan (4/1), Billy My Boy (4/1), Present Destiny (9/2), Barkis (8/1), Treasure The Ridge (8/1), Thahab Ifraj (14/1), Montycristo (25/1), Kristjano (25/1)

Billy My Boy might get an easy time of it on the lead and he will win another one of these days, so isn't to be discounted, but TREASURE THE RIDGE may well benefit from wind surgery and if you forgive his latest effort, would hold a good chance here. Tamarillo Grove woild be a threat if hen can repeat his win here last time out but that's not a given. Montycristo comes with numerous risks but would be interesting at a big price.