14:25 Newbury

Saturday 1 December 2018

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

Ladbrokes Intermediate Hurdle (Listed Limited Handicap) (Registered As The Gerry Feilden Hurdle)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 58.5s

Global Citizen²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 146| D

5/1

Very useful novice who made a satisfactory reappearance to be second in an Ascot handicap off 1lb lower. Respected for last year's winning stable, but would prefer a sounder surface.

Form: 52116-2

Gumball³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 144| BF| D

16/1

Decent juvenile who was disappointing on his reappearance at Cheltenham last month. Hold-up tactics may not have suited that day, so expect a more prominent role.

Form: 22P21-4

Whatmore¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 142| D

9/1

Progressive sort who made all to win at Bangor last time. Has to cope with a 7lb higher mark in a much better race so needs to continue his improvement.

Form: 4681-31

Ballymoy⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142| D

10/3

Winner of his last four races, including on reappearance at Chepstow. Has to cope with another 3lb rise in the weights, but is on the upgrade and will handle underfoot conditions.

Form: 35111-1

Whatswrongwithyou^h²⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139| BF| CD

5/1

Progressive hurdler last season, culminating in a fair third when favourite for the Imperial Cup at Sandown. Runs off the same mark and needs to take another step forward, but will enjoy the ground.

Form: 12/2113-

Mont Des Avaloirs⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| D

9/2

Decent novice hurdler last season, finishing third to a couple of top-notchers in the Tolworth at Sandown. Not convincing when second on chasing debut at Newton Abbott and interesting that connections switch him back to hurdles.

Form: 13414-2

Lisp¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 137| D

8/1

Progressive hurdler won who in clear-cut fashion returned to action at Fontwell. Much more to do off 7lb higher, but has prospects for a top stable enjoying a good spell.

Form: 2113F-1

What's Occurring²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Sherwood| OR: 129| D

16/1

Back-to-back wins in maiden/novice company at Hereford. Makes his handicap debut in a strong contest, but cannot be ruled out given his progressive profile.

Form: 5335-11

Voodoo Doll^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126

12/1

Tough sort who notched up three successive wins on decent ground in the summer and has continued to shape well in handicaps in the autumn. Career-high rating and soft ground to cope with.

Form: 338223

Forecasts

Ballymoy (10/3), Mont Des Avaloirs (9/2), Global Citizen (5/1), Whatswrongwithyou (5/1), Lisp (8/1), Whatmore (9/1), Voodoo Doll (12/1), What's Occurring (16/1), Gumball (16/1)

This is always an interesting contest and can often throw up a horse capable of going on to much better things. Global Citizen may struggle to concede weight all round on ground softer than ideal, while Whatswrongwithyou, Gumball and Whatmore may also be in the handicapper's grip. Mont Des Avaloirs is interesting back over hurdles and Lisp is a progressive sort, but the vote goes to BALLYMOY, who is on a roll, will relish underfoot conditions and can continue to defy the handicapper. What's Occuring is another to consider.