16:45 Newton Abbot

Saturday 13 July 2019

All14:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 22.5s

Magical Thomas^p,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112| D

20/1

Goes particularly well at Fontwell, but ran a shocker here last time over similar trip off 2lb higher mark when distant last of eight. Still 4lb higher than April success and others make much more appeal.

Form: 1341-28

Too Much To Ask¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: R Johnson| T: J Candlish| OR: 111

2/1

Yard in decent form and this gelding justified favouritism last time when scoring at Cartmel. 8lb higher mark makes life much tougher but champion jockey is on board again so should be there or thereabouts.

Form: U7-2241

Ekayburg^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 109

7/1

Dual French bumper winner who showed some promise but beaten favourite first two hurdles starts this winter before pulling up at Stratford in March. Fair second on Flat over 1m4f latest so no fitness doubts and still unexposed over timber.

Form: 611/43P-

Picture Painter^t,v²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 108

14/1

Stable companion of Ekayburg but appears second-string on jockey bookngs. Just 2-37 under both codes. has been running creditably over hurdles prior to poor run latest at Ffos Las. Eased 2lb but has a bit to prove on that evidence.

Form: 0P2-430

Global Tour^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 108| BF

5/1

Landed handicap hurdle hat-trick in May, moving 16lb up weights in process. Not disgraced when third over minimum trip last time at Stratford and could prove dangerous here after a month break.

Form: 96-1113

Good Time Ahead⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: J & S Best| OR: 106

17/2

Runner-up last two starts since joining current yard, most recently over C&D in novice hurdle. Makes handicap bow off feasible mark so interesting to note any market interest in him here.

Form: 22

Light Gunner⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 106| D

5/1

Appeared suited by the step up to extended 2m1f when winning at Fontwell in May. 3lb higher now and extra furlong may well bring about further improvement so looks one for the short list.

Form: P052-51

Sizing Tara^t1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 105

12/1

Top yard has just 9% strike rate here over hurdles despite sending out plenty of winners. First time tongue-tie applied after stopping quickly last time at Ffos Las. Possibly not an easy ride so will test up-and-coming rider's abilities.

Form: 67P/36

Cassis De Reine⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 99

20/1

Yet to score in 10 attempts but has shown enough last three starts in handicaps to suggest a race of some sort is within his compass. Eased 1lb after latest fourth here and extra furlong should prove in range.

Form: P64-364

Catchin Time^p³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: James Davies| T: L Hurley| OR: 91| BF

33/1

Ideally suited by plenty of ease underfoot but hasn't won since February 2017 and has run poorly last three outings. Dropped 5lb since distant sixth at Uttoxeter last time and has it all to do.

Form: 4825-56

Leaving Home^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 88

20/1

Won Stratford bumper last July but has run badly all five starts since and beat only one home in Ffos Las maiden hurdle last month. Makes handicap bow and doesn't appear overly well treated on bare evidence.

Form: 108P-P9

Ladies Dancing³⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-2| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 85| CD

12/1

Back to form with a win here last time out, showing good attitude to score under today's rider off 4lb lower mark. despite advanced years retains enthusiasm and may well be in the thick of the action once again off his light weight.

Form: 1P34-81

Forecasts

Too Much To Ask (2/1), Global Tour (5/1), Light Gunner (5/1), Ekayburg (7/1), Good Time Ahead (17/2), Sizing Tara (12/1), Ladies Dancing (12/1), Picture Painter (14/1), Magical Thomas (20/1), Cassis De Reine (20/1), Leaving Home (20/1), Catchin Time (33/1)

It might be too early to write off GLOBAL TOUR who won three earlier this campaign before his winning run came to an end last time. Back from a break he should again give a really good account of himself. Bottom weighted veteran Ladies Dancing won gamely last time and is not out of it, nor are Light Gunner and Good Time Ahead who come here in form and are in with a shout. Ekayburg is open to improvement, while Too Much To Ask is another to seriously consider after his latest win and with the champion jockey on board again.