16:40 Warwick

Friday 21 February 2020

All13:2514:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Feldon Dunsmore Budbrooke Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 16.4s

The Bay Birch^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 143| C| D

16/1

Won the previous race on this card last year of an 18lb lower mark; continued that progress when running a career-best at Chepstow in October off 2lb higher than today. Unsuccessfully highly-tried since then; not really firing for now.

Form: 1-14853

Bigmartre⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 143| DWS

7/1

Found calmer waters to operate in when successful in a Perth 0-150 by 16L last April although the form looked vulnerable for the grade. Well beaten all three starts this season failing to find any rhythm in his races; wind op needs to have worked.

Form: 001-567

Storm Control^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 139| BF

11/1

Progressed well since having wind surgery with two wins to his name his good attitude standing him in good stead when winning at Doncaster in December (made all). Poor last time (ground reported unsuitable); chance if back to form.

Form: 4-14215

Sir Ivan^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 136

9/1

First-time cheekpieces and a much reduced handicap mark contributed to his surprise hurdles win at Wincanton last time. Failed to complete in his last four chase starts so comes with risks returned to fences but remains on a handy mark all the same.

Form: 28-3UP1

Azzuri^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

25/1

One of three that the yard run in this he's yet to match the form he showed when winning a Listed handicap chase at Ayr to round off his season (yard was in good for at the time). Well-below par this season; this test looks another tough ask.

Form: 01-0075

Springtown Lake⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135| D

11/4

Taken a while to get going this term but clicked into gear when more at home in a small-field at Chepstow last time (well supported). Just touched off there this test looks ideal; remains well handicapped on last season's form; shortlisted.

Form: 45P-7P2

Cloudy Glen²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 135| D

3/1

Quirky sort; often led in at the start, likes to lead; his one win this year came a against a singular rival. Ran out at Cheltenham early on before redeeming himself last time despite not racing efficiently; up 3lb/back in trip but still a contender.

Form: 42F1R2

Beau Bay^h,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 134| D

20/1

Back to something like his best when taking a Wetherby handicap on Boxing Day off a 2lb lower mark (all out to hold on in a weak race for the grade). Not really in the same form over the same C&D last time (well held); others appeal more.

Form: 59-U312

Shannon Bridge^p,t⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| D

4/1

Took a while to get going over fences but did so at the fifth attempt putting to an end a long losing run at the same time on the back of a wind op. This is a better race, still well handicapped though with track/trip and ground to suit.

Form: 578-3P1

Non-Runners

Virgilio¹⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 11

T: D Skelton J: William Marshall

Forecasts

Springtown Lake (11/4), Cloudy Glen (3/1), Shannon Bridge (4/1), Bigmartre (7/1), Sir Ivan (9/1), Storm Control (11/1), Virgilio (14/1), The Bay Birch (16/1), Beau Bay (20/1), Azzuri (25/1)

A few interesting sorts here none more so than the quirky Cloudy Glen who often plays up at the start which cost him his usual front-running role at Sandown last time over 3m. He still ran a fine race to prove second and if he jumps away here he’ll be a contender. The resurgent SPRINGTOWN LAKE gets the nod though having found this level and a smaller field more to his liking last time. Storm Control has to bounce back after disappointing last time and this may prove tough enough again fir him while Sir Ivan figures on a handy mark if he can keep upright back over fences. Dan Skelton won this in 2018 and runs three with Shannon Bridge looking the pick as long as his wind op continues to work.