15:40 Newton Abbot

Friday 2 July 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Emily Davies 21st Birthday Race Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 20.46s

Can You Believe It²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 102| CD

3/1

C&D in summer 2019. Good second back from 10 months off in July. Unable to repeat that next 3 starts but should strip fitter for latest run at Uttoxeter after 8 months off.

Form: 41/249-6

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Touch Tight²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York| OR: 98

18/1

Winning pointer who has shown a bit in handicaps the last twice but nowhere near enough to be of interest.

Form: 7456-74

Demon Fou⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: J Tickle| OR: 97

15/2

Showed nothing in first-time cheekpieces back over hurdle when pulled up in handicap at Ludlow (21.2f, good to soft) 54 days ago, weakening 4 out. First run for yard after leaving Jeremy Scott.

Form: 857P8-P

Takbeer¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 93

66/1

Lightly raced and little show in recent seasons. Easily passed over.

Form: 27P/0-P0

Stanley Stanley^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 94

9/2

Showed a bit more than previously in a first-time tongue tie when second to a subsequent winner in a 6-runner handicap here (18.5f) 3 weeks ago, racing in snatches. Left on same mark.

Form: 945-82

Another Drama^h1¹⁰³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: Noel Williams| OR: 88

66/1

Half-brother to smart hurdler Jack Cool, but showed only poor form in 3 hurdle starts in 2018 and not seen since. Hood on for this return to action.

Form: PF1670/

Yes Governor^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 85

16/1

Successful completed start in Irish points but well beaten all 4 starts over hurdles, including on handicap debut last time.

Form: 179-470

Le Pogues Storm^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R T Dunne| T: A Ralph| OR: 83

8/1

Winning pointer but has yet to make a significant impact under Rules, including for current yard.

Form: 675-F07

Lapford Lad^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 75| CD

15/8

C&D winner who wasn't beaten far off 1 lb lower at Fontwell (21.8f) last time, closing all the way to the line after being outpaced between 3 out and 2 out. Can make presence felt again.

Form: 144/8-42

Little Miss Alice⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: J D Frost| OR: 63

100/1

Is still to even hint at ability, behind when brought down last in maiden hurdle at this course in April. Easy enough to look elsewhere on handicap debut.

Form: P0B-

Non-Runners

The Gold Bug⁵³

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: D J Jeffreys J: Kielan Woods

Kingston King²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: D A Rees J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lapford Lad (15/8), Kingston King (11/4), Can You Believe It (3/1), Stanley Stanley (9/2), The Gold Bug (11/2), Demon Fou (15/2), Le Pogues Storm (8/1), Yes Governor (16/1), Touch Tight (18/1), Takbeer (66/1), Another Drama (66/1), Little Miss Alice (100/1)

LAPFORD LAD wasn't beaten far off 1 lb lower at Fontwell last time and a reproduction of that form may well be good enough to come out on top here. Stanley Stanley and Can You Believe It head the dangers.