17:50 Newton Abbot

Saturday 21 August 2021

All14:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:5018:20

David Luscombe Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:51 | Winning time: 4m 4.30s

Chantecler^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: K Davis| OR: 106| CD

100/1

Dual winner last summer for Nicky Henderson, but he makes no appeal whatsoever based on what he's shown in 4 starts for new yard this year.

Form: 7P00-86

Right Destination²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 102

9/2

No show back from 10 months off over C&D in June. Much more like it when third of 8 at Worcester next time, albeit he hung left (not for the first time) under pressure and is now 0-10 over hurdles.

Form: 4F/25-83

Helford River^t⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 94

7/1

Sound return from a long absence when runner-up in 2m Uttoxeter maiden in June. Tame effort upped to 21.6f in a handicap here next time, but drop back in trip should help and he's not ruled out.

Form: 575P/27

Ragamuffin^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 92| D

15/8

Got his act together following a wind op in 2020, winner of handicaps at Ffos Las and Bangor during the winter. Back on the scoreboard at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good) last time and 3 lb rise looks fair.

Form: 129-421

Wilde Water⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Jones| T: D Burchell| OR: 86

9/1

Showed a bit more when fifth in a 12-runner Stratford handicap (18.7f, good) on debut for this yard last month, but significant step forward needed if he's to open his account here.

Form: 7/559P-5

Antidote^t1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost| OR: 86

33/1

Modest maiden on the Flat and hasn't cut much ice in 4 starts over hurdles to date. Now tried in a tongue strap.

Form: 5P0-7

Oneonechop^b,t¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 104

14/1

Fairly useful on the Flat in France, winner of 6 races up to 1m. Creditable third over C&D on second hurdles start and needs considering on handicap debut in this sphere given the yard he represents.

Form: 433

Simply True⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 84

10/3

Fair ex-Irish 11f Flat winner. Hasn't shown much in a handful of runs over hurdles, but he's very much one to note in the betting now pitched into a handicap in this sphere off a lowly opening mark.

Form: 7PP-7

Cheat³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 75

14/1

Successful twice on the Flat (both on AW), but he has shown next to nothing since switched to hurdles for present yard.

Form: 78P8

You Owe Me^b²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: S-J Davies| OR: 66

66/1

Yet to show any spark in this arena and he has a mountain to climb from 13 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 957-00U

Non-Runners

Gerard Mentor²⁹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Ragamuffin (15/8), Simply True (10/3), Right Destination (9/2), Helford River (7/1), Wilde Water (9/1), Gerard Mentor (10/1), Oneonechop (14/1), Cheat (14/1), Antidote (33/1), You Owe Me (66/1), Chantecler (100/1)

Though yet to make an impact over hurdles, four-time Flat winner SIMPLY TRUE is of interest now venturing down the handicap route in this sphere off a potentially exploitable opening mark. If the market speaks in his favour, the hint should be taken. Ragamuffin is an obvious threat, while cases can also be made for Right Destination, Helford River and Oneonechop (in that order of preference).