Westacres Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:15 | Winning time: 3m 50.8s

Alltimegold^p,t⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 100| BF| CD

5/6

Hard to ignore given his recent much improved form over fences going down on his sword; just failing to complete a fencing four-timer at Worcester. Back over hurdles and potentially very well treated if he can improve his 0-6 record in this sphere.

Form: 32-1112

Lady Marwah²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 96

6/1

There had been some mild promise in her novice hurdle runs but the handicapper looked to have given her a stiff mark (100) for her handicap debut. Trip/mark proved too much for her then (pulled-up); work to do even back to 2m, off a 4lb lower mark.

Form: 9/3443-P

Artiste Celebre⁵⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: D Faulkner| OR: 96

20/1

Returns from a significant absence having shown only modest form for several yards; makes her debut for this one today. 12lb lower than when last seen (handicap debut); hard to think that he won't need this outing though.

Form: 923868/

Highway Star¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr S A Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 95

7/2

Has one or two pieces of form that signal that he could be up to winning a handicap although overall his CV looks rather uneven. Ran poorly last time (ground probably too soft); not written off on a better surface having joined a new yard.

Form: 2P3720-

Last Enchantment^t1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95

15/2

Useful sort on the Flat (won a handicap off 72) who has yet to really transfer that ability to her hurdles starts. Ran poorly on her handicap debut last time (finished last of five); well handicapped on her Flat form, something to prove.

Form: 45F-5

Sin Sin^p,h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 87

8/1

Useful maiden on the Flat who so far hasn't lived up to hurdling expectations; did show more last time wearing this headgear combination for the first-time. Far from well placed last time (plenty to do); has to now repeat/build on that performance.

Form: 59P5P-2

Non-Runners

Dream Free²⁸

Weight: 10-10| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Alltimegold (5/6), Highway Star (7/2), Dream Free (7/2), Lady Marwah (6/1), Last Enchantment (15/2), Sin Sin (8/1), Artiste Celebre (20/1)

Hard to deny that ALLTIMEGOLD is well handicapped in this as he reverts to hurdles around a course where he scored his most impressive chasing victory winning by 14 lengths last month. Arguably given an over-confident ride last time out by Connor Brace it’s Alan Johns who now takes over again after riding him to a couple of his recent victories. Of the others both Last Enchantment and Sin Sin have some useful Flat form to their names although it’s the latter who has shown more over hurdles so far. Highway Star has joined a yard that are known for having some useful summer jumpers and it’s not beyond the realms of possibilities that he could improve for the stable switch.