16:25 Perth

Friday 28 April 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Heidsieck Monopole Party Has Started Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 5m 9.40s

Maillot Blanc³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 103| D

5/1

Winner of Hereford handicap hurdle in January. 12/1, creditable third of 12 at Kelso (21f, soft) 34 days ago. Can make presence felt.

Form: 313263

Kilbrainy⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 102

12/1

Fair in bumpers and made a solid start to his handicap career over hurdles when second at Musselburgh (2½m) in November. Disappointing twice since (remote third at Ayr latterly) but too soon to write him off.

Form: 3F4283

Born Famous⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 98

20/1

Limited over hurdles and fences in Ireland for Claire O'Connell but worth a precautionary betting check now setting out for new trainer Iain Jardine.

Form: 647P60

What A Steal^t1⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: T R George| OR: 96

5/1

Showed fair form in a couple of bumpers last winter. Yet to match that level over hurdles but it's still early days and the booking of Brian Hughes (who doesn't ride regularly for the stable) catches the eye for this handicap debut. Also fitted with a tongue strap for the first time.

Form: 32-503

Dot Cotton^t⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 95

20/1

Fair ex-Irish maiden. Hinted at a revival when third of 9 in 2m Ayr handicap in December but has failed to back it up over longer trips there twice since.

Form: 249376

Hector Master³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 92

20/1

Has gone the wrong way since a fairly encouraging hurdles bow, although his recent comeback run after a 13-month absence can be overlooked as a he was badly hampered 3 out, eventually finishing a remote fourth.

Form: 7/F40P-4

Take Centre Stage⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 92

15/2

Left a disappointing handicap debut at Wetherby on Boxing Day behind when third over 2m at Kelso (heavy) and Market Rasen (good) since. Steps up in trip now. Remains unexposed.

Form: 9-44033

Barley Breeze⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 89

28/1

Modest in bumpers. Completed for first time over hurdles when 17 lengths last of 4 at Newcastle (2m) last month. Handicaps could see him in a better light. One to note in the betting.

Form: 45-6PP4

Ultra Violet^p⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 84

12/1

Fairly useful on Flat in France. Not managed to get near that level over hurdles, but his last 2 runs have been a bit better, finishing fourth in 20.5f Ayr handicap latterly.

Form: 4-7PP24

Cowboy Cooper³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: D W Whillans| OR: 84

11/2

Poor form in bumpers/over hurdles, failing to improve for a switch to handicap company when beaten 17 lengths into fourth at Hexham (2½m) last month. Still early days but needs improvement.

Form: 76-5654

Maisie Too^p1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: D B Hurst⁽⁷⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 83

18/1

Modest form in a quartet of bumpers and comfortably held in 3 novice hurdles since. More realistic chance now handicapping, though. Also equipped with first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 445765

Watchoutitscookie¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 79| D

7/2

Improved when winning then second at Wincanton last month. Unseated before halfway at Plumpton latest. Treated as if still in form. On the shortlist.

Form: 75512U

Non-Runners

Chumlee³⁰

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: Miss S E Forster J: P W Wadge

Syltezar³⁰

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: Ewan Whillans J: Danny McMenamin

Forecasts

Chumlee (3/1), Watchoutitscookie (7/2), Maillot Blanc (5/1), What A Steal (5/1), Cowboy Cooper (11/2), Take Centre Stage (15/2), Kilbrainy (12/1), Ultra Violet (12/1), Syltezar (16/1), Maisie Too (18/1), Born Famous (20/1), Dot Cotton (20/1), Hector Master (20/1), Barley Breeze (28/1)

Tom George has a healthy 22% strike-rate here so a chance is taken on his WHAT A STEAL who showed promise at the start of his career and rates a potential improver now handicapping under Brian Hughes. Maillot Blanc ran a solid race at Kelso last month and is also on the shortlist, along with recent Newcastle scorer Chumlee and Nigel Hawke's Watchoutitscookie.