14:45 Wincanton

Thursday 22 November 2018

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:2015:55

Smith & Williamson Racing Excellence 'Hands And Heels' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Conditionals/Amateurs)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 3m 36.10s

Amirr⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 106

10/1

The maiden hurdle that he won at Uttoxeter in the summer was a weak one and he's found life much tougher in handicaps over hurdles. Switched to fences of late (pulled up both times) he reverts to hurdles under a rider who has caught the eye of late.

Form: 417FPP

Fairway Freddy¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: N J Gifford| OR: 105

3/1

His bumper debut (only run in that sphere) showed that he had ability and he's appealed through his novice hurdle career as one to improve for a switch to handicaps. Needs to settle better than he did last time but not ruled out if he does.

Form: 389-5

Sid Hoodie^t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Alan Doyle| T: C J Mann| OR: 100

16/1

Bumper winner at the 4th attempt having shown steady improvement in that sphere. Hurdles career has followed a similar pattern with her 4th at Ludlow last month a sound enough effort for her to go handicapping on the back of.

Form: 421644

Fred's Filly^h¹⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Charlie Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 94

33/1

Of little/no account on the Flat she has at least shown some ability hurdles with her 2nd run in this sphere over C&D giving some course for optimism. However the switch to handicaps (from a stiff mark) appears to have put those aspirations on hold.

Form: 0-648

Chilli Romance^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 93

9/2

Consistent mare who has yet to win over hurdles (0-14) but could pop up in something like this on her day. Needed the run on her reappearance she showed the benefit of that outing when 3rd at Chepstow keeping on well after not settling fully.

Form: 5238-43

Malangen^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-11| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 105| BF

7/2

Leicester seller winner on the Flat (1m2f) he's shown that he's heading in the right direction over hurdles and may land a handicap if he can settle a little better. Cheekpieces now added in a bid to help him; not out of this low-grade affair.

Form: 42253

Hoover Fever⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 89

14/1

From a yard in good recent form her maiden hurdle form suggested that she would be capable of winning a handicap. Yet to deliver on that promise although she looked a better model with headgear removed last time despite being rather flattered.

Form: 380P94

Maratt¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Mr Matthew Fielding⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 83

13/2

Yet to win a race but has shaped well enough on all his recent starts (attracted support on a couple of runs). Left alone in the market last time he still ran well until a bad mistake halted his progress; capable of winning a small race off this mark

Form: 78P430

Shadow's Girl^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 83

6/1

Managed to push a bad run to one side and improve on her previous starts with a Chepstow win albeit assisted by a late blunder from the market leader. Faces a stiffer task now off a 4lb higher mark and may have to rely on others underperforming.

Form: 688351

Demand Respect³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Edward Austin| T: L Hurley| OR: 78

66/1

Little form on the Flat and it looks as though her hurdles form isn't going to be any better. Given a break during which she underwent wind surgery this will be her 2nd run back and she faces a stiff task on handicap debut.

Form: 0P7-8

Forecasts

Fairway Freddy (3/1), Malangen (7/2), Chilli Romance (9/2), Shadow's Girl (6/1), Maratt (13/2), Amirr (10/1), Hoover Fever (14/1), Sid Hoodie (16/1), Fred's Filly (33/1), Demand Respect (66/1)

Not a race that exudes strength in depth with the two that are likely to towards the head of the market consistent sorts but Malangen and Chili Romance have a hurdles record of 0-19 between them and that means that some value is likely to exist elsewhere. Handicap debutantes Fairway Freddie and Sid Hoodie are of some interest as is Hoover Fever from the in-form Tizzard yard although she was flattered by the easy lead she was allowed last time. It may be worth rolling the dice here and taking a chance with MARATT with the Seamus Mullins yard going nicely at the moment. He would have finished a lot closer were it not for a bad mistake last time having shown promise on his previous two starts.