15:05 Newbury

Saturday 6 March 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:3015:0515:4016:15

BetVictor Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 3m 56.2s

Runswick Bay⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120| D

10/1

Made a good start over hurdles, scoring at Taunton (2m) in November, but pulled up on handicap bow at Kempton on only run since. May still do better after a break and not written off.

Form: 10-221P

Gemirande⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| D

22/1

Successful over fences in France last year and opened account on these shores in 2m Wetherby novice hurdle only to run poorly on handicap debut at Sandown last time. Worth another chance.

Form: 331-P1P

Bashful Boy³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: J & S Best| OR: 118

16/1

Fair 12f Flat winner who has taken well to hurdles, making all in Fontwell novice in September. Largely in good form back on the level since and not dismissed returned to this sphere.

Form: 93214

Java Point^t¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 117| BF

6/1

Lightly-raced point winner who posted best effort over hurdles when second in 20f handicap at Uttoxeter in November. Has more to offer and needs considering after his break.

Form: 4324-52

Takeit Easy¹¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 117| D

9/2

Much-improved handicapper this term, opening his account at Huntingdon before excellent sixth of 17 in strong Cheltenham contest in November. Holds good claims off unchanged mark.

Form: 8443-16

Flying Risk^b1,t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 115| DWS

150/1

Fair ex-Irish maiden hurdler at his best but he has offered little both runs for new yard this term. Since had wind op and lots to prove.

Form: 3-790PP

Sameer^t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: T Lawes| OR: 115

7/1

Fair 1m2f winner on Flat who made a promising start in this sphere for his new yard when third at Plumpton. Had wind op before disappointing in Fakenham novice last time though. Bit to prove now.

Form: 34

Eaton Collina⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 114| BF

20/1

Has shaped encouragingly when placed both runs over hurdles, third in 2m4f Hereford novice on latter occasion. Open to further improvement now handicapping so worth considering.

Form: 94-23

Above Suspicion¹²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 113

20/1

Fair form when third in 2m novice hurdles at Uttoxeter and Stratford in October. Capable of better and not ruled out now handicapping after a break.

Form: 4-33

Sorbet^p1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 113

17/2

Runner-up 4 times in a row over hurdles and not disgraced when twice in the frame in jumpers bumpers in 2021. Respected in her bid for a first victory.

Form: 2-22734

Give Us A Swig⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: S Curran| OR: 110

40/1

Fetched £50,000 after winning sole start between the flags last January. Clear signs of ability in a brace of novice hurdles at around 2m for Harry Whittington and remains with potential for new yard.

Form: 1-43

Gastara^h¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 110

5/1

Had shown plenty of promise before (17/2) hooded and much improved on handicap debut when third at Sandown (2m4f) 16 days ago, despite being set lot to do. More to come so player off unchanged mark.

Form: 00-8673

Iron Heart^b1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 107

9/2

Fair Flat winner for Andrew Balding who has progressed with each of his three runs over hurdles. Third in Kempton jumpers bumper since and opening handicap mark is fair so not without interest.

Form: 3533

Non-Runners

Sopran Thor¹⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Iron Heart (9/2), Takeit Easy (9/2), Gastara (5/1), Java Point (6/1), Sopran Thor (6/1), Sameer (7/1), Sorbet (17/2), Runswick Bay (10/1), Bashful Boy (16/1), Above Suspicion (20/1), Eaton Collina (20/1), Gemirande (22/1), Give Us A Swig (40/1), Flying Risk (150/1)

Plenty with chances in an intriguing handicap. GASTARA came home an eye-catching third at Sandown when set plenty to do and is fancied to open his account now with talented conditional Kevin Brogan again in the saddle. Takeit Easy heads the list of dangers on the back of his fine Cheltenham sixth, although Iron Heart, Java Point and Sopran Thor are others who are well worth a second look.