15:05 Southwell

Monday 8 March 2021

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3515:0515:40

Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 34.1s

Our Bubba^t1¹²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 104

40/1

Point winner who showed ability in modest hurdles but needed the experience when well held on Sedgefield handicap/chase debut in November. Tongue tie added now back hurdling after break.

Form: 1946/59

Bring The Action^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 104

10/1

Point winner who showed improved form over hurdles when second on 19.5f Hereford handicap debut 19 days ago. Ought to be thereabouts if in similar form.

Form: 1-4972

Jaunty Soria⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 103

12/1

First run since leaving Brian Eckley when landing a Fontwell novice hurdle in June 2019. Off 19 months, probably needed run when distant third in handicap there in January. May strip fitter now.

Form: 423/21-3

Thais Toir¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: James Davies| T: A Wintle| OR: 102| BF

80/1

Signs of promise over hurdles for Lacey, including fourth on 19.5f Hereford handicap debut when last seen in November. Worth a precautionary betting check now setting out for new yard.

Form: 575-304

Mr Chua^p,t⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 102

4/5

Developed into a fairly useful stayer on Flat last autumn and translated that improvement to hurdles when taking 19f Catterick conditional jockeys' race last week. Escapes a penalty so obvious chance.

Form: 3334-1

Embole^h,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 102| D

13/2

Finally took advantage of his reduced mark at Wetherby (2½m, heavy) 19 days ago. Raised 7 lb but he was rated much higher earlier in career so retains handicapping scope. Respected.

Form: 756-251

Three Bullet Gate^h⁴⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 100WS

40/1

Fourth in Uttoxeter handicap in spring 2019 but well held in 2 outings later that year and has plenty to prove back from 15 months off. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 8644/P5-

Caro Des Flos⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 99

16/1

Just a modest hurdler nowadays, but latest C&D second to the reopposing Classic Tune shows he can be competitive from his reduced mark.

Form: 456-042

Cyrus Keep^b³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 98WS

17/2

Third in couple of handicaps in the autumn (C&D second occasion) and bounced back from a poor run at Wetherby when third in a jumpers bumper last month. Had wind op. Each-way shout under good claimer.

Form: 3-533P3

Ajay's Ways⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 96

14/1

Placed in points and has hinted at ability in his 3 qualifying runs over hurdles this winter. Potential improver in handicaps.

Form: 533/679

First Du Charmil^p,t⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 95

66/1

Fair form at best over hurdles but pulled up on final outing for Sam Drinkwater in late-2018 and offered little in 2 comeback runs for this yard in the autumn.

Form: 434P/P8

It's Your Move^p,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Page Fuller| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 94

80/1

In-and-out form for Brian Ellison back in 2017/18 and, having been unplaced in trio of points, he's been well held returned to hurdles this year (remote fourth here latest). Headgear combined.

Form: 9/55-5P4

Fleursals^p⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 94

50/1

Still a maiden following 13 starts overall (7 over hurdles) and again put in her place sporting first-time cheekpieces at Chepstow on Saturday.

Form: F47-575

Classic Tune^t⁹⁷

40/1

Low-key start to the campaign but doubled career tally when springing a surprise over C&D in December, beating reopposing Caro des Flos 4½ lengths. Subsequently had wind op.

Form: 2/PP-P91

Eglantier^h,t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M Bradstock| OR: 91

22/1

Won sole bumper start in 2019 but subsequent hurdle efforts modest. Has a hood and tongue tie combined for first time.

Form: 454-637

Non-Runners

Volunteer²⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: S L Keightley J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Mr Chua (4/5), Embole (13/2), Cyrus Keep (17/2), Bring The Action (10/1), Jaunty Soria (12/1), Ajay's Ways (14/1), Caro Des Flos (16/1), Eglantier (22/1), Classic Tune (40/1), Three Bullet Gate (40/1), Our Bubba (40/1), Fleursals (50/1), Volunteer (50/1), First Du Charmil (66/1), Thais Toir (80/1), It's Your Move (80/1)

MR CHUA is 3 lb lower than when scoring at Catterick last week if Bryan Carver's claim is taken into account so he ought to take a good deal of stopping if in the same form. Embole finally got his head back in front at Wetherby and has the potential to build on that given he was rated higher earlier in his career. Bring The Action and the Kevin Brogan-ridden Cyrus Keep also make the shortlist.