15:10 Newbury

Friday 24 March 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4016:1016:45

In Loving Memory Of Luke Howliston Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:18 | Winning time: 6m 13.75s

Zanza^b²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| C

7/1

Enhanced his very good course record when posting a big career best to land Grade 2 chase in February. Respectable fourth in the Greatwood here since and has a lower mark to work with back hurdling.

Form: 621714

On The Blind Side^p⁶⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

50/1

Smart hurdler (runner-up in the Long Distance Hurdle over C&D last term). However, he lost his way at the end of last season and has been pulled up on both starts this winter. Can only be watched at present.

Form: 26P4-PP

Knowsley Road⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134

15/8

Won maiden and novice over 19.5f at Chepstow on first 2 outings over hurdles. Improved again when 6½ lengths third of 7 to Grey Dawning in Grade 2 novice at Warwick last time and interesting contender now handicapping up in trip.

Form: 221-113

Brinkley^p⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 133| C| DWS

14/1

Bit disappointing in his 2 runs this winter but he has dropped to a workablkke mark if reviving after wind surgery.

Form: 0/1P3-9P

Hurricane Harvey^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| D

18/1

Has looked hard work on occasions but very much in the mood when winning staying handicap hurdles at Uttoxeter and Ludlow around the turn of the year. Creditable third of 7 over C&D latest. Likely to give another good account.

Form: P81153

Kilbeg King⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125| D

15/2

Made it 3 wins from only 4 starts under Rules when easily winning a Fontwell novice hurdle last month. His opening mark isn't obviously generous but he has the potential for better again.

Form: 211/161

Phantom Getaway^p1⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125| BF| D

18/1

Runner-up all 3 starts over hurdles last term and improved when easily going one better in 3m Ffos Las handicap on his reappearance. Shade disappointing under a penalty back in a novice in December but could bounce back in first-time headgear.

Form: 5222-13

Loup De Maulde^p¹²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁵⁾| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 116

10/3

Has progressed well for this stable reverted to hurdling, making it 4 wins in his last 6 starts when comfortably on top at Warwick 12 days ago. 2 lb well in compared to his future mark under a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 121121

Skandiburg^t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Charlotte Fuller| OR: 122| D

14/1

Fairly useful hurdle but latest success was back in 2020. Operating below below his best this season (including over fences last twice). Hard to be confident he can take advantage of his falling mark.

Form: 2-78556

Miss Fairfax³⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 121| BF

17/2

Fairly useful novice hurdler around 3m last season, winning twice before ending her campaign with a third in a listed race at Doncaster. Been off for a year ahead of this handicap debut. Betting should help to guide expectations.

Form: 2/23113-

Non-Runners

Lord Accord⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: N P Mulholland J: Luca Morgan

Regarding Ruth⁴¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 9

T: L Wadham J: Non Runner

Abuffalosoldier⁴⁷

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: W Greatrex J: S Bowen

Good News⁸⁸

Weight: 10-5| Age: 11

T: Mrs L Richards J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Knowsley Road (15/8), Loup De Maulde (10/3), Zanza (7/1), Kilbeg King (15/2), Abuffalosoldier (8/1), Miss Fairfax (17/2), Skandiburg (14/1), Brinkley (14/1), Regarding Ruth (16/1), Phantom Getaway (18/1), Hurricane Harvey (18/1), Good News (20/1), Lord Accord (25/1), On The Blind Side (50/1)

The vote goes to the thriving LOUP DE MAULDE who can notch a fifth win in his last 7 starts. Unexposed trio Knowsley Road, Phantom Getaway and Kilbeg King head the dangers.