14:45 Ffos Las

Sunday 5 March 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

DragonBet The Bookmaker Of Wales Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 58.68s

Hungry Hill³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 98

13/2

Showed ability in bumpers and shaped as if in need of further than 2m on all 3 starts over hurdles to date. Upped in trip for handicap debut and that could yet unlock improvement.

Form: 4-860

Mojito Royale^b1,t1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 94

33/1

Twice placed in Hereford maiden hurdles last season but went with no encouragement after 13 months off on Fontwell return 5 weeks ago. Blinkers/tongue tie tried but he's easily opposed.

Form: 20335-P

Puddlesinthepark²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 94

7/1

Runner-up sole start in points and only mid-field at best so far over hurdles (probably unsuited by the emphasis on speed on handicap debut last time). 4 lb lower here and this step up in trip could well see him in a better light.

Form: 2-5576

Safe Destination³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 92

10/1

Offered bits of promise in maiden/novice hurdles but both outings in handicaps so far have been disappointing. Will need to leave those efforts behind stepping up in trip here.

Form: 546506

Loud As Lions^p,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 90| D

22/1

Out of form for some time now and needs this switch back to hurdling to spark some sort of revival.

Form: 1/P9-4P4

Bucks Dream^t1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 86

7/2

Sharper for a comeback outing when third over C&D in January and probably unsuited by a speed test back down in trip at Hereford (19.7f, good) since. One to note back up in trip with first-time tongue tie applied.

Form: 334-636

Via Dante^p1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 80

33/1

Minor promise in trio of novice/maiden hurdles at around 2m this winter but was well held tackling a trip he's bred to stay on handicap debut at Lingfield (23f, good) just under a fortnight ago. Cheekpieces applied but tough to support.

Form: 548877

Maid Of The Night¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 79

11/4

Point winner who justified strong support making her handicap debut from a basement mark when scoring at Hereford (21.7f, good) 18 days ago, well suited by the longer trip. Up 6 lb and fancied to progress further with this extra distance in her favour.

Form: 6-59961

Eglantier^p⁴¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: M Bradstock| OR: 78

50/1

Bumper winner but yet to get his act together in this sphere, offering little after 8 months off when last seen at Fakenham in January 2022. Handicapper relinquishes his grip and cheekpieces are applied for this return to action.

Form: 637P/57-

Justshortofabubble^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 72

5/1

Yet to get his head in front and efforts this season have left plenty to be desired, well held at Taunton last month. Upped to 3m for the first time and interesting to see what the market makes of him.

Form: 4-85825

Robber's Bridge²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Simon Earle| OR: 72

28/1

Minor promise in a couple of bumpers but well beaten on all 4 starts in this sphere, including on handicap debut recently.

Form: 496008

Ideallko^p1⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 69

22/1

No impact in 3 starts so far but could do better with cheekpieces on now handicapping.

Form: 0P0

Non-Runners

Waterloo Quay²²

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: David Dennis J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Maid Of The Night (11/4), Bucks Dream (7/2), Justshortofabubble (5/1), Hungry Hill (13/2), Puddlesinthepark (7/1), Safe Destination (10/1), Waterloo Quay (12/1), Ideallko (22/1), Loud As Lions (22/1), Robber's Bridge (28/1), Via Dante (33/1), Mojito Royale (33/1), Eglantier (50/1)

MAID OF THE NIGHT justified strong support to get off the mark on handicap debut at Hereford last month and with more improvement anticipated upped further in trip, Henry Daly's mare is strongly fancied to double her tally. Similar comments apply to Hungry Hill so he could give the selection most to think about, ahead of Bucks Dream and the returning Eglantier.