16:15 Newton Abbot

Sunday 11 October 2020

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

Brendon Soper Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:18 | Winning time: 5m 30.4s

Paricolor^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 115WS

20/1

Went backwards from chasing bow when remote fifth of 7 in handicap at Market Rasen (21.4f) 56 days ago. Switches to hurdles now so not dismissed.

Form: 1138-F5

Falberto²²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: S Thomas| OR: 114

28/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Had wind op after below form eighth of 13 in novice at Market Rasen (20.6f, soft) 7 months ago. Into handicaps now and needs more off stiff opening mark.

Form: 33258-

Demon Fou³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 114

9/2

Landed 21f Wincanton handicap last season and (18/1) in need of run on return when fading ninth of 17 in handicap at Uttoxeter. On good mark so not taken lightly.

Form: 1444P-9

Emphatic Qualm²⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113

12/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 20/1, fourth of 7 in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (23.3f, heavy) 8 months ago. Into handicaps now but others have achieved more.

Form: 5/34-

Big Tree³³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: Simon Earle| OR: 113

28/1

10/1, good third of 21 in handicap hurdle at Punchestown (24f, soft) on final run for Thomas Mullins 11 months ago. Fitness clearly a concern for new yard but in the mix if market vibes are positive.

Form: 840633-

Merry Milan¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 113

4/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2018 but posted good second of 4 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (26f, good, 16/5) 19 days ago. Much respected.

Form: 06575-2

Roseriver Has²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Christian Williams| OR: 111

80/1

Ex-Irish hurdler who landed a 19f Downpatrick maiden hurdle in 2019 for Noel Meade. Hasn't offered much for current yard, though. Needs big step forward.

Form: 0/1909-0

Ambion Hill²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 110

9/1

7/2, creditable fourth of 6 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, soft). Off 6 months and this step up in trip will suit so not dismissed.

Form: 4/66374-

Kilbrew Boy^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 110

10/1

17/2, below-par seventh of 11 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (24f, good) 16 days ago. Switches to hurdles with cheekpieces back on but needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 1PU3-47

Sastruga²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: R G Hawker| OR: 109

40/1

Below-form third of 6 in handicap hurdle (9/2) at Hereford (19.7f, heavy) on final run for Henry Oliver. Needs to hit the ground running for new yard after 6-month absence.

Form: 796283-

Cubao^p1²²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 107

15/2

Fairly useful bumper winner but only ninth of 10 in novice hurdle (66/1) at Newbury (20.5f, soft) when last seen out 7 months ago. Cheekpieces on for handicap bow but others appeal more.

Form: 144P9-

Bonanza Sam²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: T Scudamore| T: J Mason| OR: 107

28/1

66/1, much improved when second of 12 in novice hurdle at Exeter (16.8f, heavy) final start. Not ruled out now handicapping if returning fully tuned up.

Form: 12/P862-

Hawk's Well²²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 107

16/5

Has progressed with each of his three runs over hurdles, excellent fifth of 10 in novice at Newbury (20.5f, soft) final starrt. Open to more improvement now handicapping so well worth considering.

Form: 43/655-

Leading Knight²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 104

25/1

Thrice-raced maiden hurdler but last of 13 in novice at Warwick (16f, heavy) 7 months ago. Significantly up in trip for first start in handicaps but needs lot more.

Form: 750-

Non-Runners

Meyer Lansky²⁷¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: J & A O'Neill J: Non Runner

Nelson's Touch²²²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: J W Mullins J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hawk's Well (16/5), Merry Milan (4/1), Demon Fou (9/2), Meyer Lansky (6/1), Cubao (15/2), Ambion Hill (9/1), Kilbrew Boy (10/1), Emphatic Qualm (12/1), Nelson's Touch (14/1), Paricolor (20/1), Leading Knight (25/1), Bonanza Sam (28/1), Big Tree (28/1), Falberto (28/1), Sastruga (40/1), Roseriver Has (80/1)

DEMON FOU is handily weighted and will have come on for his Uttoxeter return, so is sure to make his presence felt in an open race. Hawk's Well is another well worth a second look, as is Merry Milan.