15:35 Newbury

Friday 29 November 2019

All12:1512:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 3.25s

Champers On Ice^p,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 137| C| D

10/1

Decent performer over both hurdles and fences in his prime. Blighted by injury recently but bounced back to win at Ffos Las (3m, soft) last time. Respected despite lofty mark in the handicap.

Form: P58/4P-1

No Hidden Charges³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137| D

33/1

Rattled up a hat-trick in the spring, culminating with victory at Newton Abbott (2m5f) in July. Not as good when fifth in 2m5f novice hurdle at Cheltenham last time and could be in the grip of the handicapper at the moment.

Form: 44-1115

Vive Le Roi²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Bannister| T: A W Carroll| OR: 136| CD

25/1

C&D winner in 2019 but on a losing streak since then. Modest at Stratford on seasonal reappearance but unseated rider early on at Aintree (3m) last time. 8lb above last winning mark which is a concern.

Form: P520-3U

Samburu Shujaa²⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| D

9/1

Steady progression over hurdles but got the ball rolling with two successes at Chepstow (both 3m) before disappointing in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m) in March. Off the same mark but this is an easier contest.

Form: 252110-

Captain Tommy³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 134

12/1

Lightly raced and unexposed who won twice as a novice last season before finishing runner-up in Listed hurdle at Perth (3m). Modest fourth on seasonal appearance at Cheltenham last time and entitled to come forward.

Form: 35112-4

Bastien²⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 134

33/1

Last win came nearly two years ago now and disappointing of late over fences, including 19L fourth at Taunton (2m7f) in February. Has long absence to contend and best watched on previous evidence.

Form: F50/434-

Anytime Will Do⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| BF

10/1

Dual winner in novice company at the start of last season but progress seemingly stalled after that and was most recently seen finishing 15L third in 2m4f Market Rasen handicap hurdle. Still relatively unexposed but more needed.

Form: F1/115-3

Closing Ceremony³¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 132| D

16/1

Very good horse in his prime and looked to have lost his way before taking advantage of fall in the weights with victory at Haydock (3m) in January. Not seen since though and has 5lb rise to contend with.

Form: 5637/71-

Dolphin Square³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131| D

9/2

In consistent form this season and made it three wins for the calendar year when defying a double penalty to win at Wincanton (2m5f) in October. Off the same mark in this contest and entitled to go well over staying trip.

Form: 114-121

As I See It³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 130

10/1

Unexposed sort. Pulled up at Cheltenham in April 2018 and wasn't seen again until last month when winning 2m7f hurdle at Exeter in good style. Only his third start in this company and claims if the 'bounce' factor doesn't show.

Form: 42310/1

Invincible Cave^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Aspell| T: C Gordon| OR: 128| D

33/1

Modest performer for Gordon Elliott in Ireland and not started in the best form for this yard, finishing last of five at Fontwell before pulling up at that track (3m3f) 12 days ago. Limited appeal on current form.

Form: P-5355P

One For The Team³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 126| BF

13/2

Hasn't been able to add to bumper success at Wincanton in March 2018 but got close when racing keenly in second at Worcester (2m7f) last time. Winner of that race has boosted form so not without hope.

Form: 1/44-2

Iwilldoit²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 126

20/1

Slightly inconsistent sort. Impressive winner at Catterick (3m) two starts ago before finishing 10L second at Ffos Las in April. Not seen since and usually strips fitter for seasonal reappearance.

Form: 861612-

Dr Des²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 124

12/1

Useful hurdler in the past who lost his way over fences last season and hasn't returned to top form over hurdles yet, including 17L fourth at Chepstow (3m) last time. Tumbling down the weights but best watched.

Form: 545P-54

Black Buble¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 122| D

12/1

Last win came at Ascot in March and improved slightly on seasonal debut when finishing 5L fourth at Kempton (3m) earlier this month. Tries this trip for the first time but entitled to place claims.

Form: 5112-64

Debestyman²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: M G Nolan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 121| D

50/1

Novice hurdle winner at Plumpton in January but made below-par comeback when seventh of nine - beaten 37L - at that track at the start of the month (2m4f). This looks a tall order on paper.

Form: 15741-7

Potters Hedger^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Wadham| OR: 119| BF

7/1

Running with credit without winning and made fine comeback appearance when second in flat jockeys' handicap hurdle at Lingfield earlier in the month. Dropped 1lb but a career-best required to score here.

Form: 17433-2

Telson Barley^b1,t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 115| D

25/1

Winner of Warwick hurdle (3m1f) last season and made satisfactory comeback when second at Kelso (3m2f) in October. Penalised a whopping 13lb by the handicapper for that and will need a career-best effort.

Form: 63-14P2

Forecasts

Dolphin Square (9/2), One For The Team (13/2), Potters Hedger (7/1), Samburu Shujaa (9/1), Champers On Ice (10/1), Anytime Will Do (10/1), As I See It (10/1), Black Buble (12/1), Dr Des (12/1), Captain Tommy (12/1), Closing Ceremony (16/1), Iwilldoit (20/1), Vive Le Roi (25/1), Telson Barley (25/1), No Hidden Charges (33/1), Invincible Cave (33/1), Bastien (33/1), Debestyman (50/1)

DOPLHIN SQUARE has generally been improving with racing during his career and took the eye when defying lumps of weight at Wincanton (2m5f) last time. The trainer has seemingly spotted a good race to partake in before his mark increases once again and he may have more progression left in him yet. Samburu Shujaa also represents the Phillip Hobbs yard and finished closer than the positions said in the Pertemps Final and may be nicely treated off the same mark for this, while the likes of One For The Team and Champers On Ice are at different ends of the scale career-wise but have classy form in their notebooks.