18:35 Newton Abbot

Tuesday 20 August 2019

All17:3518:0518:3519:0519:3520:05

William Hill Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:36 | Winning time: 3m 56.0s

Legal History^b,t³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 133| D

5/1

Twice scored in the spring at Ascot and Exeter over this sort of trip on good ground. Has been runner-up in all three runs since, including at Market Rasen last month following wind surgery. Has form on good to soft.

Form: 2112-22

Carntop^b,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 124

12/1

Winner of maiden/novice hurdles last year at Worcester, stall afterwards but runner-up finishes at Ffos Las and Southwell last month much more like it and entitled to respect despite being 4lb higher now.

Form: 34-3421

Romanor^h³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 121

5/1

Three wins last summer, latest off a mark of 120, and has started to threaten again of late with good seconds at Bangor and Market Rasen prior to finishing fifth over 2m4f at Ffos Las. Drop in trip should suit and one to consider.

Form: 838-225

Definitelyanoscar¹⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 120| DWS

9/2

Point/bumper winner who struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in 2m Warwick maiden in November. Fair third at Ludlow in March when last spotted and has undergone wind op since. Needs good look in betting.

Form: 2/F21P3-

Empreinte Reconce^t⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 112| CD

5/4

Seemingly improved for wind surgery when scoring over C&D last week, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides. 7lb penalty to negotiate but seems likely to go well again.

Form: 6525-31

Tamarillo Grove^t²²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-5| J: C Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 114| CD

14/1

Eight-time course winner, invariably reserves best for this place. Twice won early in the summer but backed out of things quickly last month here over 2m2½f. Is just 2 lb above his last winning mark now.

Form: 03-1157

Camlad Kingfisher²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: S-J Davies| OR: 95| BF

25/1

In good form at Uttoxeter this summer, winning a conditionals handicap hurdle there last month over 2m on good ground. Faces stiff challenge to repeat that effort on these unfavourable terms.

Form: 70-3214

Result Amended

Legal History - Original Position 4th. Amended Position 3rd.

Carntop - Original Position 7th. Amended Position 6th.

Romanor - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 2nd.

Definitelyanoscar - Original Position 1st. Amended Position 7th.

Empreinte Reconce - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 1st.

Tamarillo Grove - Original Position 6th. Amended Position 5th.

Camlad Kingfisher - Original Position 5th. Amended Position 4th.

Non-Runners

Innocent Touch²¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: H D Daly J: R Johnson

Hygrove Percy⁸⁷⁸

Weight: 10-9| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: Philip Donovan

Forecasts

Empreinte Reconce (5/4), Definitelyanoscar (9/2), Romanor (5/1), Legal History (5/1), Innocent Touch (8/1), Carntop (12/1), Hygrove Percy (12/1), Tamarillo Grove (14/1), Camlad Kingfisher (25/1)

Tamarillo Grove is a proven performer at this track and must be respected dropping in the ratings have won here twice earlier in the summer, but his most recent form is a concern. Romanor will be suited down in trip while both Legal History and Carntop are good enough to get involved, with the former suited by soft going. A 7lb penalty might not ground the ambitions of last week's C&D winner EMPREINTE RECONCE, who quickly put that race to bed when asked and should have solid claims again.