13:50 Newbury

Saturday 28 December 2019

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 2.3s

Soul Emotion²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147

8/1

Took back-to-back handicap hurdles (first two starts for this yard) back in 2018. Only seen twice since then, shaped if better for the run when last seen (first run since a wind op); kept to hurdles for now, mark still looks a stiff one.

Form: PF11/5-7

One For Rosie²⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 145

11/2

Kept moving forward last year in all his runs finishing third in an Aintree Grade 1 when last seen to Reserve Tank. Only just beaten in the EBF Final Handicap prior to that off a 7lb lower mark; back from a fair absence, hard to rule out.

Form: 1/13123-

Point Of Principle²⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 141

25/1

Not seen that much last season but ended it with his best run when just touched off in a competitive Aintree 2m4f hurdle off a 5lb lower mark. Has run well before when fresh so the absence here shouldn't hold him back; fair claims.

Form: 75/2592-

Colonial Dreams²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| D

18/1

Produced his best run of last season on the final day seeing off a serial loser at Sandown despite displaying his own quirks. Looks the selected of the two the stable run in this; ground/trip are fine if he's ready to roll first time out.

Form: 1/26251-

Coeur de Lion²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Max Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: A King| OR: 135

18/1

Useful sort on the Flat; in good form on the level this year (won Chester Plate); made his first start over hurdles at Aintree since March 2018 last time. Stayed on well, same inexperienced rider takes the mount here, could do with stronger handling.

Form: 17500/5

Sevarano²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 134| CD

11/4

Making up for lost time this year winning his first two starts in maiden/novice company (latest win over C&D). Given a fair mark for his handicap debut and the step up to this trip last time looked to suit; should go well again.

Form: 2243-11

Hear No Evil^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128

25/1

Shown fairly useful form in the past over hurdles but a long absence appears to have seen him lose his edge. Both starts since returning have been poor, would need to show plenty of improvement to score here.

Form: 2131/40

Limited Reserve¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 127

40/1

Combination teamed up to win the Welsh Grand National but this one in keeping with many of the yard's horses appears to be working his way back to form. Plugged on in an ordinary small-field handicap last time; more needed.

Form: 211/403

Howling Milan^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 125| C

6/1

Course winner on his final start of last season when making all to win a novice over C&D. Took a step back in the right direction last time off a falling mark and the handicapper eases him a further 2lb here; still to prove his worth in handicaps.

Form: 861-754

Now Look At Me⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 124

6/1

Still looking to go one better in handicaps having finished runner-up in both his starts this sphere having won a bumper/novice hurdle earlier in the year. Bumped into a couple of unexposed types; should give a good account.

Form: 21-1422

Dorking Boy^h,t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 123

13/2

Proved much more tractable and in better form since having wind surgery finishing a good second on debut in handicaps and going one better at Taunton last time. Looks ready for this test despite an 8lb rise for last time; deserves respect.

Form: 74-6321

The Wolf⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 123| BF

14/1

Easy winner when odds-on for Fakenham novice in October on debut for this trainer (2m4f, good); though beaten fav at Bangor since on heavy ground and bounce back required.

Form: 7343-14

Forecasts

Sevarano (11/4), One For Rosie (11/2), Now Look At Me (6/1), Howling Milan (6/1), Dorking Boy (13/2), Soul Emotion (8/1), The Wolf (14/1), Coeur de Lion (18/1), Colonial Dreams (18/1), Point Of Principle (25/1), Hear No Evil (25/1), Limited Reserve (40/1)

Hard to think that this isn’t competitive and there will be plenty rooting for Grade 1 third One For Rosie with that Aintree form being well advertised this year. He has won off breaks before but might just lack the match sharpness of SEVARANO who after looking expensive to follow has turned events around this year winning his last two races having developed into a more complete specimen. His latest C&D win should prove to be a useful piece of form. The Henderson pair Soul Emotion and Colonial Dreams will have their supporters although both have a little to prove whilst Dorking Boy (looks much better since his wind op) and Now Look At Me have to enter the equation in what looks a hot heat.