15:35 Newbury

Saturday 12 February 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Betfair Hurdle (Grade 3 Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 49.40s

Soaring Glory^p⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 147| CD

8/1

Impressive winner of this last year and took his form up another notch with Ascot listed handicap success on return. Not seen to best effect in small fields since. Respected despite top weight.

Form: 314-143

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Tritonic⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 146| C| D

16/1

Seemed well suited by a test of stamina at 2m when landing Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot in December. Not seen to best effect in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton since.

Form: 15-2514

Glory And Fortune^t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 143| D

20/1

Improver this term, scoring at Plumpton before taking the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las. Had a couple of today's rivals behind when very good second in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton latest.

Form: 211642

First Street^h²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| D

14/1

Well-regarded 5-y-o who made it 3-4 over hurdles when comfortably disposing of 9 rivals in 2m Kempton handicap last month. Surely has more to offer but de Boinville seemingly prefers Broomfield Burg.

Form: 221151

I Like To Move It⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138| D

12/1

Useful dual bumper winner and similar standard when landing first 3 starts over hurdles. Not seen to best effect in a steadily-run Ascot Grade 2 latest. Yard seeking a fourth win in this since 2014.

Form: 29-1115

Knappers Hill⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| D

11/1

3-3 in bumpers, including Grade 2, and stretched unbeaten record to 5 with novice hurdle wins in autumn. Met with defeat but actually achieved better form when third in Grade 2 latest. Unexposed.

Form: 111-113

Boothill^t1⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 135| BF| D

9/1

Won bumper/novice hurdle in 2020 and shaped with plenty of promise when third in 2m Ascot handicap on return. Only fourth in chase since but retains potential back hurdling. Tongue tie added.

Form: 221/1-34

Broomfield Burg⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

11/4

Looked a good prospect when winning bumper and progressive over hurdles, strong-travelling second in Cheltenham handicap before gaining a second win in novice company at Kempton on Boxing Day. Player.

Form: 7-11221

Jetoile^h³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: R Potter| OR: 133

8/1

Placed just once in 4 points but he's quickly developed into a useful novice hurdler, making all at Chepstow and Leicester (both 2½m) this winter. Second in Grade 1 Tolworth latest. Mark workable.

Form: 3F-3112

Fifty Ball⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 131| D

22/1

Most progressive 2m hurdler last season, including chasing home Soaring Glory in this (same mark). Hasn't gone on since chase debut third but interesting back over timber for his in-form yard.

Form: 120-345

JPR One³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130

13/2

Winner of novice hurdles at Exeter and Taunton this winter and even better form when narrowly denied at Cheltenham in between. Lacks experience for a race like this but there's likely more to come.

Form: 121

Howdyalikemenow²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 127| D

100/1

Much improved for this yard, winning 3 times, including 2m Ffos Las handicap (heavy) last month. Found out in Grade 2 company at Warwick since and will need further improvement to overcome his mark.

Form: 2-11016

Royaume Uni²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 123| D

12/1

Ready winner of 2m Plumpton handicap in October and at least matched that form when third of 12 at Cheltenham (17f) in December. No more than a respectable third at Kempton latest, though.

Form: 424-133

Lord Baddesley²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: C Gordon| OR: 120| BF| CD

66/1

Winner of 2 of 4 starts as a novice hurdler last term. Didn't take to fences first 2 runs this season. Better signs back hurdling when third at Kempton over Christmas but pulled up back there since.

Form: U1-4P3P

Forecasts

Broomfield Burg (11/4), JPR One (13/2), Soaring Glory (8/1), Jetoile (8/1), Boothill (9/1), Knappers Hill (11/1), I Like To Move It (12/1), Royaume Uni (12/1), First Street (14/1), Tritonic (16/1), Glory And Fortune (20/1), Fifty Ball (22/1), Lord Baddesley (66/1), Howdyalikemenow (100/1)

Novices have dominated this lately and that trend can continue courtesy of BROOMFIELD BURG whose experience of a competitive handicap at Cheltenham before Christmas should stand him in good stead. Fifty Ball hasn't taken to fences but is interesting back hurdling off the same mark as when second to Soaring Eagle in a strong renewal of this last year. Jpr One and Jetoile are also on the shortlist.