15:50 Newbury

Saturday 29 February 2020

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

MansionBet Best Odds Guaranteed Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 122

Placed behind some useful types in bumpers/novices but very disappointing effort at Ascot last time out (when well fancied) now needs forgiving but convinced his best is yet to come and not willing to ignore him here.

Form: 2/2-236

Karakoram^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 118| D

Only won once over hurdles but placed last three and same mark today as Warwick third last time out. Handicap a little restrictive but place still likely.

Form: 135223

Captain Blackpearl^t1⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 115| BF

Only had the three starts so open to improvement, placed last two starts on heavy ground but in truth a bit disappointing latest; tongue-tie goes on, which may remedy the situation, and if it does, he could be a player.

Form: 2-24

Equus Dancer^t1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 113| D

Useful in bumpers he's gone backwards over hurdles after making a promising start in this sphere. Pulled-up on handicap debut so enthusiasm waning although jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 11-348P

Escrime D'Art⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 111

Has run well against some decent opposition last two starts, and his (distant) third to King Roland last time now looks a decent piece of form; should handle the ground and opening mark looks workable, so has chances.

Form: 5/29-033

Derek Duval⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: J & S Best| OR: 110WS

Enthusiasm waning now after two laboured efforts since November Ascot fourth with him pulled up at Sandown when last seen.

Form: 9540P

Keel Over⁴⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 103

Not seen out since finishing down the field at Market Rasen back in the December of 2018, so every chance he'll need this run, and it's debatable whether such ground is really what he wants anyway; others readily make more appeal.

Form: U1/4236-

Fibonacci^h⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 102| D

Maiden second but no match for runaway winner Le Ligerien last time. That rival followed up under penalty and goes in the 2:40 today. Suspect he could be effective off this mark.

Form: 046-92

Another Tuco²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 102

Point winner showed little in novices before remote handicap debut. Plenty to prove at this stage.

Form: F-15950

Megalodon^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 97| D

Inconsistent sort off the mark at the 10th time of asking at Warwick before flopping over the same C&D and ground conditions. Risky proposition.

Form: 3-P0P16

Forecasts

Faustinovick (6/4), Captain Blackpearl (9/2), Fibonacci (7/1), Karakoram (8/1), Escrime D'Art (10/1), Keel Over (12/1), Equus Dancer (12/1), Megalodon (14/1), Another Tuco (20/1), Derek Duval (33/1)

Although ultimately disappointing FAUSTINOVICK was one of the best backed horses of a busy Saturday when last seen in a low-key contest. That wasn't even nearly his true running so he is given another chance today. Unexposed Captain Blackpearl in the first time headgear is also appealing with exposed but consistent Karakoram probably the standard setter on form.