14:40 Newbury

Saturday 29 February 2020

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

MansionBet Proud To Sponsor British Racing Handicap Hurdle

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| CD

No surprise he followed up under a 7lb penalty at Haydock after bolting up here by 19L over C&D in a quickfire January double. Now 18lb higher but in fine form and clearly relishes very testing ground.

Form: 633211

Elusive Belle^h⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136| BF| D

Useful novice a 10L third to champion hurdle favourite Epatante first time out before second to re-opposing Miranda at Kempton. 7lb better off for that 4L defeat but not entirely sure she wants ground quite so soft.

Form: 1201-32

Miranda²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136| D

4L win over Elusive Belle at Kempton her third over hurdles and Musselburgh third since another sound effort in Scottish County Hurdle. 12lb higher than last win but still young and on the upgrade so remains a contender.

Form: 11P-813

Khage²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 135| D

Won three times as a novice and although he's found things a little tougher this season his third at Wetherby latest was a step in the right direction. Same mark here but ground conditions may have gone against him.

Form: 11-55P3

Antunes²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| BF| D

Won first time out at Wetherby but well behind rivals Elusive Belle here and Khage at Wetherby since so has a bit to prove although at only six he could yet have more to give.

Form: 532-1P7

Neff²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130

Dual winner in this, his novice season but found red-hot Betfair Hurdle too tough at this stage when a 14L 14th of 24 over C&D latest. This is undoubtedly easier and the fact he's won on both heavy and good is a plus.

Form: 12210

William H Bonney²⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 129| D

Lightly raced these days and back after another lengthy absence today. Last win (Dec 18) was off this mark and King yard one of the very best at readying one first time so would be foolhardy to rule him out.

Form: 01107-P

Main Fact³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 123| D

Completed a hat-trick when winning by 10L at Ffos Las latest which results in another 12lb hike in the weights and a step up in class. Obviously thriving so has to considered here.

Form: 14/3111

Nordic Combined^b,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 122

Still a maiden although placed in five of his 12 hurdle races. Out of the frame in last three and others appeal more in such a hot handicap.

Form: 8-33644

Non-Runners

Cliffs Of Dover⁴²⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: P F Nicholls J: Lorcan Williams

Champagne City³⁴

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: T R George J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Cliffs Of Dover (7/2), Elusive Belle (4/1), Le Ligerien (5/1), Miranda (6/1), Khage (8/1), Main Fact (10/1), Neff (14/1), Nordic Combined (16/1), Antunes (16/1), William H Bonney (16/1), Champagne City (20/1)

In a really warm contest plenty can be given chances but the verdict goes to MIRANDA whose win at Kempton penultimately was very impressive. She ran solidly since in a Cheltenham trial at Musselburgh and could still have wiggle room at the weights. Having absolutely trotted up the last twice on heavy Le Ligerien has to be respected despite a sizable weight hike with fellow in-form improver Main Fact also taken seriously.