15:25 Newbury

Saturday 4 March 2023

All13:4014:1014:4515:2516:0016:3517:10

Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 3m 52.22s

Onemorefortheroad²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 130| CD

9/2

A bit disappointing so far this term but this clearly easier than the Betfair Hurdle he contested here last month and he's well treated on last season's exploits. No surprise were he to revive.

Form: 243-480

Gipsy De Choisel¹⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129| D

15/2

Hurdles winner on sole start in France and opened his account on these shores in cosy fashion at Warwick (2m) in May. Shaped as if retaining all his ability on Ascot return in November and remains low mileage for leading stable.

Form: 35F/8-15

Head Law^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124| D

12/1

Bumper winner who progressed well over hurdles last term, completing a hat-trick under a penalty in a Southwell handicap in April. Shaped encouragingly on belated return at Kempton in January and the run perhaps came too soon at Huntingdon 16 days later. Could bounce back.

Form: 1110-38

Fruit N Nut¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| D

6/1

Dual soft-ground bumper winner in 2021 and doubled tally over hurdles when accounting for 6 rivals at Sedgefield (17f) in January. Creditable third in 2m Catterick handicap since despite leaving the impression he found that track a little on the sharp side.

Form: 0/1-3013

Master Dancer⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 122| D

11/2

Winning chaser in France who made a successful British debut back over hurdles in Stratford maiden (2m). Backed that up when very good third of 19 in 2m Cheltenham handicap in November and possibly unsuited by softer ground when disappointing at Kempton over Christmas.

Form: 217-13P

Glorious Zoff^h,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122

33/1

Fairly useful hurdler for Gordon Elliott in 2021 but not seen again until never involved on AW Flat at Kempton for this yard in January. Proved way too headstrong when pulled up in Betfair Hurdle here since. Refitting of a hood may help him to settle better but he has something to prove for now.

Form: 30/034-P

Black Poppy⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 119| CD

10/3

Won this race 12 months ago. Sound start to his chase career when second on Ffos Las reappearance in October and had lack of stamina as an excuse for his below par effort back hurdling in a 20.5f handicap here over Christmas.

Form: 2112-27

Artistic Choice^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: H Cobden| T: M L W Bell| OR: 114| D

4/1

Fairly useful maiden on the level who made a winning start over hurdles at Catterick in November and added to his tally in 2m Huntingdon handicap last month. This is a better race but he could easily have more to offer.

Form: 1541

Forecasts

Black Poppy (10/3), Artistic Choice (4/1), Onemorefortheroad (9/2), Master Dancer (11/2), Fruit N Nut (6/1), Gipsy De Choisel (15/2), Head Law (12/1), Glorious Zoff (33/1)

In a tight handicap the suggestion is GIPSY DE CHOISEL whose lightly-raced profile suggests he could easily still have more to come for his top connections. Juvenile Artistic Choice made a successful switch to handicaps at Huntingdon recently and is second choice ahead of Head Law, who shaped well on his reappearance and had a possible excuse for a lesser run since.