11:55 Warwick

Saturday 31 December 2022

All11:5512:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Poundland Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 11:55 | Winning time: 4m 52.52s

Duke Of Moravia³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 100

7/2

Went close sole start between the flags and reached the frame in a pair of 2m novice hurdles last month. Potential improver now making a quick switch to handicaps.

Form: 234

Higher Ground^h⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 97

8/1

Looks to have a fair chunk of ability but needs to settle down (looked tricky and unseated second start, pulled hard latest outing). Handicap debut.

Form: 3U8

Highland Getaway³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 97

4/1

Has more than hinted at ability when fourth in 2m maiden hurdles at Market Rasen and Ffos Las. Should be more to come now handicapping, particularly now stepping up in trip. Market support could prove significant.

Form: 44

Cool Rain⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: M Sheppard| OR: 95

25/1

Fair maiden for Stuart Crawford but made a discouraging start for this yard in the summer and fared no better back from a break at Hereford recently.

Form: 505-P6P

Mr Sociable²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 94

33/1

Modest form at best over hurdles and well held in Taunton handicap on his recent return from a long absence. Not too hard to look elsewhere.

Form: 05P27/9

Bashers Reflection^t⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 94

4/1

Showed clear signs of ability when fourth in a pair of Doncaster bumpers at the beginning of the year. No better than modest form in 3 novice hurdles this autumn but handicaps provide him with a more realistic chance of success.

Form: 44-F46

Betty's Belle^p1⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Williams| T: B Pauling| OR: 93| C

17/2

Fair bumper winner. Below that level over hurdles (remote second of 4 penultimate start) but wouldn't be any surprise to see her fare better now handicapping with headgear added. One to note in the betting.

Form: 054-52P

Crawford^t¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: M Bradstock| OR: 93

16/1

Pulled up in handicap chase at Newton Abbot on debut over fences in June. Needs to hit the ground reverted to hurdles on his return.

Form: 720P4-P

Second Chapter⁵⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: M Young| OR: 88

100/1

Showed a bit in 4 hurdle starts in spring 2021 but has been absent since. Can only really be watched given the length of the lay-off.

Form: 13P75/0-

Tiny Tantrum^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryony Frost| T: M Murphy & M Keady| OR: 87

12/1

Fair maiden for Lucy Wadham last term but not at his best in 2 handicaps for new yard in recent weeks. Mark on the slide but need to see more.

Form: 2333-55

Sa Alors⁵²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 87

40/1

Modest maiden hurdler. Back from 16 months off so others appeal more on this occasion.

Form: 396/633-

Samatian^p³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 82| BF| D

11/2

Off the mark on return/first run following a wind op at Stratford in October. Creditable placed efforts on all 3 outings since. Sound claims.

Form: 33-1322

Solid Fuel³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy| OR: 81

100/1

Fair form when second in a Huntingdon bumper in May but has failed to back that up since, including in 3 novice hurdles this autumn. Handicap debut.

Form: 267366

Little Brown Mouse^t1⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Houlihan| T: A Wintle| OR: 80

80/1

Little sign of ability. A first-time tongue tie needs to spark improvement.

Form: 6080-FP

Non-Runners

Lucky Bounce³⁰

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: R Potter J: Benjamin Poste

Yellow Jacket²⁸³

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: Abbie McCain

Forecasts

Duke Of Moravia (7/2), Lucky Bounce (7/2), Bashers Reflection (4/1), Highland Getaway (4/1), Samatian (11/2), Higher Ground (8/1), Betty's Belle (17/2), Tiny Tantrum (12/1), Yellow Jacket (12/1), Crawford (16/1), Cool Rain (25/1), Mr Sociable (33/1), Sa Alors (40/1), Little Brown Mouse (80/1), Second Chapter (100/1), Solid Fuel (100/1)

Plenty with chances in this opener. DUKE OF MORAVIA appeals as one who could have more to come now making a quick switch to handicaps and gets the vote. Highland Getaway has a similar profile to the selection and a market move for him would make him a major threat. Lucky Bounce and Samatian have already shown they can do it in handicaps and complete the shortlist.