13:50 Newbury

Saturday 1 December 2018

All12:1012:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 5m 4.03s

Air Horse One²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: H Fry| OR: 145

16/1

Capable hurdler who has earned top weight with a series of sound displays. Needed the run behind a talented mare in a Grade 2 contest at Wincanton and should be happier back in handicap company.

Form: 3023P-7

Boite¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 143

16/1

Effective on his day, but latest efforts have not been up to his best. Handicap mark is dropping and he could get involved under his 7llb claimer if on a going day.

Form: 21F05-5

Barters Hill²⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 142| BF| CD

9/1

Looked destined for the top until injury curtailed his progress and he has raced only once since November, 2016. Handicap mark very fair, but he clearly arrives with risks attached.

Form: 1114P/6-

Champ¹⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139| D

9/2

Two easy wins in maiden/novice company in May, having run a good horse close on his hurdling debut at Ascot. Has lots of potential and it will be disappointing if he cannot go close off this mark on his handicap debut.

Form: 12/2-11

Golden Birthday^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 138

40/1

Back-to-back wins in Stratford novice chases at the back end of the summer, but has looked out of sorts since. Not hard to oppose until showing more.

Form: 211P00

Padleyourowncanoe³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 136

12/1

Good effort to finish third in a Class 2 race at Cheltenham last month. Earlier handicap form gives him each-way claims, but current mark is high enough.

Form: 1249-23

Who's My Jockey²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| D

8/1

Well held on two starts over further this season. Still early days for him and drop in trip may well suit. Down 2lb since last run.

Form: 231-430

Sussex Ranger^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 134

28/1

Two wins from only five starts over hurdles, but was beaten out of sight on his reappearance at Ascot earlier this month. Surely capable of better, but has it to prove.

Form: 1127-9

Potters Story³⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 133

16/1

Back to winning ways with a bang when bolting up at Ffos Las almost a year ago. Subsequent absence suggests something has been amiss so he is probably best watched on his return to action.

Form: 412/001-

Sleep Easy^b⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 132| D

14/1

Decent efforts off this mark on last two starts. Likely to be on the premises again, but it will be a surprise if there are not more progressive rivals against him.

Form: 833-432

Big Chief Benny⁷⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 128

20/1

Fair handicap hurdler when last seen in December, 2016. Long absence to overcome and is one to watch unless the market speaks heavily in his favour.

Form: 151620/

Speedo Boy^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 124| D

9/2

Improving on the Flat and over hurdles. Good winner of a quite valuabe handicap at Chelteham last time and 6lb rise is fair. Obvious claims.

Form: 315-1

Man Of Plenty^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 123

10/1

Not disgraced in competitive races at Cheltenham on last two starts. Handicapper has given him a chance, but it's a long time since he got his head in front.

Form: 752-650

Vaziani²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 120

20/1

Well beaten on his handicap bow at Sandown earlier this month, but that race was run on desperate ground and he can be forgiven that defeat. Prospects off this mark if back on song.

Form: 12-7

Le Musee^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 120

10/1

Over 7L behind Speedo Boy at Cheltenham, but that was his first run since April and he is entitled to improve for it. Any rain would be welcome and first-time cheekpieces may help.

Form: 2210-9

Forecasts

Champ (9/2), Speedo Boy (9/2), Who's My Jockey (8/1), Barters Hill (9/1), Le Musee (10/1), Man Of Plenty (10/1), Padleyourowncanoe (12/1), Sleep Easy (14/1), Boite (16/1), Air Horse One (16/1), Potters Story (16/1), Vaziani (20/1), Big Chief Benny (20/1), Sussex Ranger (28/1), Golden Birthday (40/1)

Lots of these are in with a chance, but heading the list are Speedo Boy and CHAMP with the vote going to the latter, who is unexposed and could be well weighted on his handicap debut. Bottom-weight Le Musee could go well if it rains, while Vaziani is capable of better and Who's My Jockey may be suited by the drop in distance.