14:50 Warwick

Sunday 10 March 2019

All13:5014:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:0017:30

Newark Livestock Market Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 19.2s

Act Alone^t1⁹³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P Mason⁽⁷⁾| T: J Mason| OR: 117

50/1

Won once in a very staggered career for Nicky Henderson. Arrives here after almost three years off and two years of before previous run too. Can't be fancied.

Form: 213265/

Royal Sunday²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 113

16/1

Hereford maiden hurdle winner last term but made little impact in five starts since. Handicapper easing the burden and ground will suit yet others remain more compelling.

Form: 1F-P599

Eclair De Guye³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 112

9/2

Close enough to a pair of useful-looking horses at Plumpton on last two starts in novice company built on when fourth of nine at Sandown on handicap debut. Down in class and eased 2lb now he merits respect here.

Form: 6-6464

Cougar Kid⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 111

8/1

Looks to be in the grip of the handicapper now despite some consistent performances with the best of his form coming at Lingfield latest when fourth. Still in form but his mark looks a tough one now.

Form: 323353

Discko Des Plages^h1⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 109

16/1

Seventh of 16 beaten 35L in last of three novice starts showed similar level to earlier contests. Upped in trip and fitted with a hood for first handicap so reasons for optimism if not full confidence.

Form: 67-097

Diva Reconce⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 108| C

8/1

Made a promising hurdles debut at Ludlow (2m5f+ soft) in December 2017 when finishing a staying on second to the now 133-rated Chilli Filli. However, has evidently had issues and has pulled up and tailed off to her name this season.

Form: 1/2-P6

The Premier Celtic^p1⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 107

5/1

Not quite operating at his best currently and the cheekpieces are now reached for to see if they can provide some extra impetus. Well backed last time at Fontwell but failed to live up to those market expectations; more needed in order to support.

Form: 6F-8055

Peur De Rien⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood| OR: 106

7/1

Maiden after six starts and beaten 17L when fourth over an extended 1m7f at Leicester (good-to-firm) last time out. Interesting to see how he fares now up in trip and on softer ground.

Form: 94-0844

Savanna Roar⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling| OR: 105

16/1

Handicaps and a step up in trip always looked to be the game plan during his novice hurdle days. However, he ran poorly in this sphere first-time here over 3m2f. Perhaps this trip will suit better and with 5lb ease he merits genuine respect.

Form: 98-5500

It's For Alan^h²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 104

16/1

Point-to-point winner in Ireland, was tailed off at Wincanton on handicap debut which was a continuation of his struggles in novice contests. Far from compelling.

Form: P1-3690

Mere Ironmonger^t1,v1⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: R Bandey| OR: 103

3/1

Kempton bumper winner in 2016 who has had his problems since. Needs to step up considerably on his three previous hurdling efforts now with a host of new headgear fitted.

Form: 16/7077

Avantgardist¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 101

16/1

Yet to win in 14 starts and already on his third trainer, but definite signs of ability over hurdles. Latest ninth of 12 a moderate start to his handicapping career but longer trip here might suit better.

Form: 0669

Non-Runners

Vue Cavaliere¹⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: Miss S Smith J: Ben Godfrey

Forecasts

Mere Ironmonger (3/1), Eclair De Guye (9/2), The Premier Celtic (5/1), Peur De Rien (7/1), Diva Reconce (8/1), Cougar Kid (8/1), Avantgardist (16/1), Discko Des Plages (16/1), Savanna Roar (16/1), Royal Sunday (16/1), It's For Alan (16/1), Vue Cavaliere (25/1), Act Alone (50/1)

A weak looking contest can go the way of unexposed ECLAIR DE GUYE who ran well enough on handicap debut in a stronger race than this to recommend him. Savanna Roar should be better suited by this trip an handicap mark than his handicap bow so he merits respect too. Consistent sort Cougar Kid is a viable each-way proposition.