15:48 Warwick

Saturday 11 February 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1315:4816:2316:55

Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 3m 49.78s

Minella Plus²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119| D

40/1

Took well to chasing, landing handicaps at Hexham and Ludlow (both at around 2m) in the autumn. Below form in recent outings though, including back over hurdles at Kempton (2m) 4 weeks ago. Hard to fancy.

Form: 311534

Hartur D'oudairies⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117| CD

13/8

Winner of sole bumper start in France and made a successful yard/hurdle debut over C&D in November 2021. Has had only 2 starts since, shaping encouragingly after a year off when runner-up in an Exeter handicap (18.5f) in November. Major player.

Form: 1/15-2

Bubble Dubi⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 113

7/2

Promising bumper performer. Has lacked a bit of end product in his 3 hurdle outings this season but he impresses with the way he travels and brings definite potential to this handicap debut.

Form: 343-254

Doukarov^p1,h,t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J R Wildman⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 112| D

80/1

Thrived for Sean Curran last term, winning 2m handicap chases at Newbury and Sandown, but has made a disappointing start for current stable. Remains to be seen whether a return to hurdles helps with cheekpieces added to usual hood/tongue tie.

Form: 125-7PP

Timeforaspin⁶²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 112| D

33/1

Lightly-raced 9-y-o who justified good support to run out impressive winner of a Ffos Las handicap (15.8f) back in May 2021, quickening clear under hands-and-heels ride. However, fact he has been absent since is a concern.

Form: P547/P1-

Thunder Ahead²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 110

50/1

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 1½m) for Harry Dunlop. Off the mark at third attempt over hurdles in juvenile event at Doncaster 12 months ago prior to disappointing on handicap debut a month later. Does come here fit from Flat but mark demands more.

Form: 5317-

Opening Bid^h⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 108| CD

8/1

Twice a runner-up in C&D handicaps late last year and quickly dispelled a lesser display over fences to resume winning ways at Uttoxeter (15.8f) in December. Built up a good record at this venue and not out of things from 3 lb higher.

Form: 6-722P1

Mr Freedom¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 117

13/2

Sound start in this sphere, landing quick-fire juvenile hurdle hat-trick in September. Good second on handicap debut at Plumpton (15.9f) on penultimate start in January and arrives here on the back of a ready success on Flat at Lingfield 2 weeks ago. Possibilities.

Form: 111R52

Non Stop²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J Tizzard| OR: 116| CD

5/1

Fair on Flat (stays 1m) and bright start over hurdles, supplementing his juvenile hurdle victory here when bolting up in a C&D handicap 4 weeks ago, overcoming mistakes in the process. This tougher but that may not prove his limit.

Form: 131

Greatest Star^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 102| D

16/1

Southwell maiden winner (at 15.8f) who ran well when third from 3 lb higher mark in a C&D handicap 13 months ago. Seemingly not 100% on final start for Dan Skelton last term and possible he'll come forward for his Wincanton return effort in December for new yard.

Form: 5/4130-9

Non-Runners

Langafel³³⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: James Davies

Forecasts

Hartur D'oudairies (13/8), Bubble Dubi (7/2), Non Stop (5/1), Mr Freedom (13/2), Opening Bid (8/1), Langafel (8/1), Greatest Star (16/1), Timeforaspin (33/1), Minella Plus (40/1), Thunder Ahead (50/1), Doukarov (80/1)

C&D novice winner HARTUR D'OUDAIRIES shaped with plenty of promise after a year off when runner-up on handicap debut at Exeter in November, suggesting his mark is an exploitable one, and he could be the answer to this intriguing handicap. 4-y-os Mr Freedom and dual C&D winner Non Stop are both live threats in receipt of their weight-for-age allowance though, whilst Opening Bid goes well here and also makes each-way appeal.