14:30 Warwick

Friday 9 November 2018

All12:5013:2514:0014:3015:0515:3516:05

Smarkets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 3m 50.7s

Djin Conti¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 117

6/1

Showed a good attitude to win a maiden last time out and may have more to come. The betting can guide as to expectations held of him coping with carrying joint top weight though.

Form: 33-1

Mick Thonic^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 117| BF| D

12/1

Form figures read well but not won in eight starts over hurdles since arriving in the UK (did win on debut in France in August 2013); losing run building up and this looks a stiff test. The rider's 10lb claim does help though.

Form: 2U5423

Je Suis Charlie⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: C R King| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 115| DWS

7/1

Mixed form under both codes but has a maiden hurdle win to his name and ought to cope well with predicted going. First start back since wind surgery so a cautious approach is advised nevertheless.

Form: 323-18

Finley's Eyes^h³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 114

13/2

Lightly raced but has shown a good combative spirit on a couple of occasions (including when second over C&D in May). Yard won this last year and can go close again if the gelding doesn't spoil his chances by pulling too hard.

Form: 5-422

Sammylou^t¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 114WS

33/1

Struggling to find his level and looks opposable having failed to build on what was a decent effort at Sandown last November. Drops in trip but probably best watched on his first run since wind surgery.

Form: 049P8-5

Dexcite²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 111| D

7/2

On a fair mark just now but no more than just a hint of a return to form when he was well held on his debut for his current yard last time out. Others more appealing this time.

Form: 16/49-P5

Unsafe Conduct^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 110| BF

14/1

Doesn't stand much racing but has won after a pipe-opener before now; so feasible he can go close if last month's visit to Stratford has tightened up the gelding's fitness. One to monitor in the betting.

Form: 6675-16

Peterborough³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110

7/1

Shapes as if he can pay his way and justify the £60,000 price tag connections took on after the gelding won an Irish point-to-point. The form of his last start has been franked since - still unexposed and one for the shortlist.

Form: 1/8-32

Master Work¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 110

14/1

Won debut last October but has been regressive since. Both starts in 2018 were regressive and a big step forward is required. Yard highly respected but the gelding still has a lot to prove over a trip which may be on the sharp side for him.

Form: 1450-0

In The Pipeline¹⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell| OR: 108

33/1

Just failed in a small field at Towcester when last seen out but showed a good attitude in the closing stages. Off since May and not certain to be suited by the drop in trip, so looks one to be wary of unless the betting market indicates all's well.

Form: 5-32

Chief Brody²⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: W R Muir| OR: 108| CD

7/1

C&D winner last time out (in a conditional riders' handicap) and copes with a good bit of give underfoot. However, that was the gelding's first start after over a year on the sidelines and he's got lot more on his plate from a 13lb higher mark now.

Form: 682FP/1-

Navajo War Dance¹⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: A Stronge| OR: 107

20/1

Has claims on the pick of his form - notably a good effort when returning from wind surgery with a good second at Worcester in May. Disappointing last time out and poor win-to-runs ratio is off-putting.

Form: 8374-28

Strictlyadancer^h1¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: D F O'Regan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 95

66/1

Lifghtlt raced and comes into this on the back of a seemingly improved effort last time. Needs to take another step forward though. First time hood may help.

Form: FU-84

Forecasts

Dexcite (7/2), Djin Conti (6/1), Finley's Eyes (13/2), Chief Brody (7/1), Je Suis Charlie (7/1), Peterborough (7/1), Mick Thonic (12/1), Master Work (14/1), Unsafe Conduct (14/1), Navajo War Dance (20/1), Sammylou (33/1), In The Pipeline (33/1), Strictlyadancer (66/1)

There is likely to be a bit more to come from PETERBOROUGH and the seven-year-old is taken as the best option in a tricky little race. Finley's Eyes represents last year's winning yard (in this race) and is forwarded as one to seriously consider if the betting market speaks in his favour, while Djin Conti and Unsafe Conduct are others worth considering too.