13:50 Newbury

Saturday 8 February 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Betfair Bet In-Play Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 0.6s

Dolphin Square³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138| D

7/1

Progressive sort for his owner/rider winning four from seven in this sphere, resumed winning ways over this trip at Ludlow last time. Find for pressure and looks well suited by positive tactics; up another 6lb but vey much in the mix.

Form: 4-12141

Vive Le Roi²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Bannister| T: A W Carroll| OR: 137| CD

10/1

C&D winner who has run some solid races this term without looking like he's going to regain the winning form he showed last season. Beaten off this sort of mark on his last few races, should run a sound race but looks a few pounds too high.

Form: 20-3U32

Ainchea^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 133| BF

10/1

Useful novice in the 2017/18 campaign he's only been twice since; well backed in a first-time tongue tie last time off this mark. Patiently ridden when making a bad mistake two out; one to note off what is a potentially lenient mark.

Form: 212F/97

Anytime Will Do¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 132

9/1

Bumper and dual novice hurdle winner on her first three starts in 2018 but hasn't won in four starts since (in handicap the last three times). Didn't really get the rub of the green last time; dropped 1lb, needs other to falter.

Form: 115-355

Acey Milan^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 131| BF| C

5/2

Won the bumper on this programme in 2018 and proved smart in that sphere. Looked to be coming to herself over hurdles in decent handicaps until she disappointed last time; has proved expensive to follow over hurdles.

Form: 13-8226

One For The Team²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 130

4/1

Took a Wincanton bumper on his debut and has gradually improved over hurdles despite failing to win in this sphere as yet. Good placed efforts over C&D and at Warwick; nudged up 2lb, should still be competitive.

Form: 1/44-223

Dell' Arca^b⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 129| CD

33/1

Has his quirks as well as being more miss than hit these days having mixed hurdling with chasing this year. Ran no sort of race last time over hurdles eventually pulled up; well handicapped but comes with obvious risks.

Form: P-8F59P

Versatility⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127

11/2

Overcame some inexperience to make a winning debut over hurdles at Warwick early last year. See just the twice since making his handicap debut last time; not disgraced over 2m5f, this 3m should suit, one to note.

Form: 04-134

Thunderstruck³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 124| D

12/1

Expensive purchase from the Irish point-to-point field who has yet to get off the mark after three hurdle attempts. Steps into handicaps up in trip with this sphere likely to see him to much better effect.

Form: 122-262

Forecasts

Acey Milan (5/2), One For The Team (4/1), Versatility (11/2), Dolphin Square (7/1), Anytime Will Do (9/1), Vive Le Roi (10/1), Ainchea (10/1), Thunderstruck (12/1), Dell' Arca (33/1)

It’s not hard to make a case for the majority of this field but the two tucked away at the foot of the weights take the eye the most. That duo are lead by VERSATILITY who gave a strong impression that 3m would suit when he was fourth at Ascot last time over 2m6f staying on well at the death. Thunderstruck ought to find this test more suitable than those he has been facing in novice hurdles off what looks a workable opening mark. Dolphin Square can’t be left out of the equation having shown a liking for this trip under positive tactics at Ludlow last time. One For the Team has to be respected while a note should be made of a market move for Ainchea who is well handicapped on his old form.