15:15 Newton Abbot

Sunday 11 October 2020

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:5017:20

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 47.20s

De Rasher Counter²¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| D

5/1

Improved further over fences last season, landing a big pot in the Ladbrokes at Newbury (26f) in November on the back of a spin over hurdles on return. Goes down a similar path in 2020 and tempting.

Form: 21/614P-

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Boyhood³⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 137| CD

18/1

Off the mark over fences here in spring 2019 but had turned in a couple of sour displays (including back over hurdles) when last seen. Good record fresh some cause for optimism.

Form: 30/163P-

Sunset Showdown^b²¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 132

7/1

Won 3 small-field novice hurdles in the early stages of last season. Not straightforward though, curling up having gone well through the race in the Pertemps when last seen. Stamina to prove.

Form: 211250-

Label Des Obeaux²¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 128

7/2

Three-time winner over fences around 3m in 2016/17. Very lightly raced in recent seasons but did shape as though ability remains in 2 similar events to this earlier this year. Could go well on return.

Form: 6866/94-

Oscarsman^t1²⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: M G Nolan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 117WS

25/1

Much improved to win 2½m soft-ground Plumpton maiden in December but folded on handicap debut later that month. Undergone wind surgery/has tongue tie on for belated return. Retains potential.

Form: 2/7461P-

Prabeni^b,t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C J Mann| OR: 117| D

11/2

Back to winning ways in staying Fontwell handicap hurdle in the mud in August. Reportedly lost a shoe when held in stronger race back there last month but this is another step up in class still.

Form: 92-6413

Laugharne^p,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 117

13/2

Fairly useful on his day and might have needed his Warwick comeback fitted with this headgear 3 weeks ago. Proven stamina/ground wise and could figure.

Form: 3P/243-3

Sammylou^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 111| CD

3/1

Has built up a good record over C&D since the restart, resuming winning ways under a fine ride from his conditional 3 weeks ago. This is tougher but he has fewer question marks over him than most.

Form: U6-1421

Forecasts

Sammylou (3/1), Label Des Obeaux (7/2), De Rasher Counter (5/1), Prabeni (11/2), Laugharne (13/2), Sunset Showdown (7/1), Boyhood (18/1), Oscarsman (25/1)

A real mish mash and it could be worth chancing LABEL DES OBEAUX. Useful over hurdles in his younger days, he subsequently made up into a decent staying chaser and before the shutdown ran a couple of good races in this sphere after a long time off. He lurks on a very tempting mark. Sammylou has fewer question marks over him than most and is a player up in class. Boyhood completes the shortlist.