15:37 Newbury

Saturday 5 March 2022

All13:1513:5014:2715:0215:3716:1216:47

BetVictor Non-Runner-No-Bet At Cheltenham Seniors' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 5m 18.4s

Boreham Bill⁹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130| D

18/1

Back to best when 66/1 winner of Lanzarote at Kempton last winter. Respectable efforts first 2 runs this season. Rare poor effort over C&D latest but given a chance by handicapper as a result.

Form: 310-65P

Kateson^t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jay Tidball⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 128| CD

7/2

Not long with this stable and posted a couple of placed efforts over hurdles in December. Not disgraced when fifth of 11 19f Ascot Class 2 in January. Tongue strap refitted.

Form: 05-8325

Dorking Boy^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 125| CD

5/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who doubled his tally for the campaign with a comfortable success over timber at Taunton (19f) in January. Creditable second of 5 at Huntingdon since. Former C&D winner.

Form: 164312

Stormy Flight³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 124

15/2

Uttoxeter winner last spring who performed as well as he's ever done when runner-up at that same venue last time. Can make presence felt if in same form.

Form: 31-P7B2

Bold Plan²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123| D

17/2

Useful hurdler/chaser at best who bounced back to form when scoring in a small field at Market Rasen last month. Only nudged up 3 lb and remains well treated on old form. Respected.

Form: 7-78691

Commanche Red^v⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 123| D

10/1

Has proved unreliable and no surprise than he failed to back up a couple in-frame efforts when only mid-field in the Lanzarote at Kempton last time. This less competitive but others still preferred.

Form: 14-5348

Song Of The Hunter⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 122

85/40

Lightly-raced winning hurdler who was placed on all 4 completed starts in handicaps last season. Hasn't taken to fences for Tim Vaughan this term but interesting back hurdling for new stable.

Form: 3222-07

Benny's Bridge³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 120

33/1

Near-useful hurdler on his day. Hasn't built on his chase debut fourth in December but is on an interesting mark if a return to hurdles sparks him back to life. Yard won handicap hurdle here recently,

Form: 0-653PP

Hotter Than Hell³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 113

14/1

8-y-o who is winless since landing a maiden hurdle in spring 2019. Looked capable of putting that right when second at Wincanton in November but not at the same level twice since.

Form: 3-59274

Non-Runners

Nietzsche¹⁹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 9

T: B Ellison J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Song Of The Hunter (85/40), Kateson (7/2), Dorking Boy (5/1), Stormy Flight (15/2), Bold Plan (17/2), Commanche Red (10/1), Hotter Than Hell (14/1), Nietzsche (14/1), Boreham Bill (18/1), Benny's Bridge (33/1)

SONG OF THE HUNTER failed to fire in 2 chases for Tim Vaughan before Christmas but he did well over hurdles last season and might be worth chancing to make a successful return to the smaller obstacles for new trainer Harry Fry, with confidence increased should the betting vibes be strong. Stormy Flight arrives at the top of his game and is feared most ahead of Bold Plan.