13:50 Warwick

Sunday 10 March 2019

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

Sloane Helicopters Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 3m 58.6s

Espoir De Guye¹⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V WilliamsWS

9/2

Bought for €70,000 after winning a 2m3f conditions hurdle at Les Sables-D'olonne (France) in June. Weakened into midfield on GB debut in November. Wind-op since so hoping for better now.

Form: 517

Flash The Steel^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF| D

5/6

Consistent sort since joining this yard and deservedly got his head in front at Doncaster two starts back. Another sound effort since when second at Cheltenham off 5lb higher and brings excellent handicap form to the table here.

Form: 1-32412

Bardd⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 106| D

33/1

12-race maiden over hurdles and although placed five times they all came when with former trainer Nicky Henderson. Less effective of late and easy to oppose here.

Form: 3-F4455

Battlebrave³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Johns| T: J Groucott

150/1

Well held in two bumpers and pulled up on Ludlow hurdles debut recently. Can only watch.

Form: 0-9P

Bigchextocash^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: S Drinkwater

66/1

Good looking individual for whom fences will likely be his making. Remote fourth at Ludlow followed by similarly remote sixth at Taunton. Plenty to prove.

Form: U5/0P-46

Blackstairs Lad³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

16/1

Ran well to finish 1L second in a point-to-point on good-to-yielding ground in Ireland in the autumn. Purchased for £65,000 subsequently but did looked like he might need more time when a well beaten sixth at Ludlow.

Form: 4-26

Cobra Commander¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds

100/1

Placed in a big-field point-to-point last May but the form of that only average, and he was pulled up when sent off 66-1 for only start under Rules at Ffos Las in November. Slight improvement to be fifth latest at Ludlow so minor place appeal.

Form: 3P5

Laxey³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly

14/1

Clearly has potential although yet to be truly consistent on three starts. Latest fifth of 15 over hurdles was certainly a decent enough start and has place potential here.

Form: 545

Lock's Corner²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill

9/4

Impressive winner of an admittedly weak Point-to-point on only start in May and bought for £215,000 shortly afterwards. Not foot perfect on hurdles bow but ran on strongly for second. Promising individual and respected here.

Form: 12

Non-Runners

Deyrann de Carjac⁵²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: A King J: Wayne Hutchinson

Forecasts

Flash The Steel (5/6), Lock's Corner (9/4), Deyrann de Carjac (11/4), Espoir De Guye (9/2), Laxey (14/1), Blackstairs Lad (16/1), Bardd (33/1), Bigchextocash (66/1), Cobra Commander (100/1), Battlebrave (150/1)

The form of FLASH THE STEEL and Deyrann de Carjac in handicaps this season means the pair set a high standard with slight preference for the former who would give his rival 2lb if this were also a handicaps. The aforementioned pair do carry a penalty here which boosts the claims of Lock's Corner who appeals as a future classy chaser.