17:10 Newton Abbot

Wednesday 5 June 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

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Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 5m 28.10s

Rightdownthemiddle^b,t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: S Curran| OR: 95| D

25/1

Has a pretty modest strike rate on the whole and after seven unplaced races since joining this yard it continues to decrease. No guarantee he can recapture former best at 11.

Form: 70906-6

Hold Me Tight^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Gundry| OR: 95

7/1

24-race maiden but went about as close as he ever has in a 2m2½f contest here two starts back. Slightly below that since but in a very ordinary affair he can't be overlooked.

Form: P485-26

Stonemadforspeed¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Teal⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 95

17/2

Winner of a 2m3f Taunton selling handicap off this mark in February and latest Worcester third over 2m7f where he jumped the last in front suggested this trip close to ideal and demonstrated him to be in form, solid claims.

Form: 21P0-43

Ali The Hunter²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: J Farrelly| OR: 94| BF

4/1

Third over 2m at Ffos Las after winning 2m5½f Wincanton two starts back and looked like she would appreciate a return to the trip today. 7lb higher than aforementioned win but seems in good order so merits respect.

Form: 05P6-13

Here's Bingo²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 90

28/1

Six-race maiden placed on debut in a bumper but nowhere near to doing so since including when switched to a handicap latest here. Easy to oppose.

Form: 37/769-9

Inspireus²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 86| BF

6/1

Although still yet to make the frame he has been fourth four times and fifth twice in his last seven starts. Handicap continues to slide and sooner or later maiden podium finish inevitable, more than that however would be a surprise.

Form: 45845-4

Willyegolassiego^p,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 83| BF

11/2

Nearly two years now since her lone hurdle win but latest second to Ali The Hunter at Wincanton suggested she can end the wait this season. 7lb better off for an 8L defeat with that rival gives her a chance to turn the tables.

Form: 28455-2

Mighty Missile^p,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 81

28/1

Three-time hurdle scorer ran pretty well here first time back after 339 days off but flopped latest when a tailed off sixth of seven behind Ali The Hunter. Could bounce back but that run has to be a worry.

Form: 9P0/65-6

Lapford Lad^t⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 79| BF| C

11/2

40/1 winner of a 2m2½f handicap penultimately was made favourite to follow up here next in a novices handicap but fell four out when lying second. Form of win two starts ago makes him a legitimate contender.

Form: UP94-1F

Ice Konig^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: J D Frost| OR: 75| CD

10/1

1-33 record over hurdles tells a cautionary tale and given he's been unplaced in his last six races he is best avoided now even if his best form would see him well treated.

Form: 44P89-6

Top Of The Rocks¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Mrs K Stephens| OR: 73

14/1

Flat winner but 0-14 over timber. Second over 2m at Chepstow three starts back looked promising but beaten out of sight the next twice here and at Uttoxeter and looked a non-stayer over 2m4f latest so trip a major concern.

Form: 8/0526-5

Chasing Headlights^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Jamie Bargary| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 68

16/1

Placed three times in an 18 race career but after four consecutive sevenths this year so far even a minor place now would be s surprise.

Form: 2P777-7

Forecasts

Ali The Hunter (4/1), Lapford Lad (11/2), Willyegolassiego (11/2), Inspireus (6/1), Hold Me Tight (7/1), Stonemadforspeed (17/2), Ice Konig (10/1), Top Of The Rocks (14/1), Chasing Headlights (16/1), Rightdownthemiddle (25/1), Here's Bingo (28/1), Mighty Missile (28/1)

The form of ALI THE HUNTER's Wincanton win over this distance penultimately is as strong as any on offer here and having looked like she found 2m inadequate latest when third she is fancied to take full advantage of a return to this trip. Stonemadforspeed isn't getting any younger but is a proven commodity off this mark and at this sort of distance so all seems set fair for him to go well again. Shock winner here in May Lapford Lad is also shortlisted despite falling latest in a bid to follow up as favourite.